After the infamous ban of 59 Chinese apps, India is now scrutinizing 275 other Chinese apps for violation of users’ privacy and national security. According to the people aware of the developments, any Chinese internet company that violates the security terms and norms would be prohibited from running its app in the country.
The decision will be followed after India banned 59 high profile apps including TikTok, ShareIT from the country amid high geopolitical tensions around the border.
According to the list reviewed by Economic Times, the apps include gaming app PubG backed by China’s most valuable internet company Tencent, Zili by Xiaomi, AliExpress by E-commerce giant Alibaba and apps like Resso and ULike from ByteDance.
While there hasn’t been any confirmation from the spokesperson of the Home Ministry, official sources have confirmed that reviews of such Chinese apps are underway. “Some of these apps have been red-flagged due to security reasons while others have been listed for violation of data sharing and privacy concerns,” an official explained.
The decision is yet another step in protecting the information and sovereignty of India which these apps supposedly endanger. According to officials, Chinese data-sharing norms requires companies of Chinese origin to share data with the home country, irrespective of where they operate from. This in turn would mean a direct flow of users’ information into their hands further harming India’s integrity.
Chinese Internet Companies have about 300 unique users in India. According to industry estimations, two-thirds of smartphone users in India have downloaded a Chinese app.
Among the many high profile apps under examination are 14 MI apps by Xiaomi and lesser-known apps like Capcut and FaceU.
Meanwhile, another government official has said that India is looking to formalize a process for such bans and the ministry has been asked to form law for the same.
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