The Indian government has banned 59 Chinese mobile applications in response to rising tensions along the Line of Actual Control. The ban includes popular apps such as TikTok, WeChat, and UC Browser. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has justified the move by saying these apps are “prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state, and public order.”
Tensions between India and China have been rising since a deadly border clash earlier this month which resulted in the death of 20 Indian soldiers. This ban is a blow to Chinese app developers who have been trying to build their presence in the Indian market. TikTok, which has been downloaded over 2 billion times worldwide and has over 120 million registered users in India, is particularly popular.
The ban has been met with mixed reactions, with some praising the government’s move to protect national security, while others have criticized it as an attack on freedom of expression. This ban follows similar measures taken by other governments around the world in response to security concerns with Chinese technology, particularly Huawei.
