Centre bans 59 mobile apps that are prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India

Centre bans 59 mobile apps that are prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India
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Centre bans 59 mobile apps that are prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India
Highlights

The Ministry of Information Technology, invoking it's power under section 69A of the Information Technology Act read with the relevant provisions of the Information Technology

The Ministry of Information Technology, invoking it's power under section 69A of the Information Technology Act read with the relevant provisions of the Information Technology (Procedure and Safeguards for Blocking of Access of Information by Public) Rules 2009 and in view of the emergent nature of threats has decided to block 59 apps since in view of the information available they are engaged in activities which are prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, the security of the state and public order.

Over the last few years, India has emerged as a leading innovator when it comes to technological advancements and a primary market in the digital space.

At the same time, there have been raging concerns on aspects relating to data security and safeguarding the privacy of 130 crore Indians. It has been noted recently that such concerns also pose a threat to sovereignty and security of our country. The Ministry of Information Technology has received many complaints from various sources including several reports about misuse of some mobile apps available on Android and iOS platforms for stealing and surreptitiously transmitting users' data in an unauthorized manner to servers which have locations outside India. The compilation of these data, its mining and profiling by elements hostile to national security and defence of India, which ultimately impinges upon the sovereignty and integrity of India, is a matter of very deep and immediate concern which requires emergency measures.

The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, Ministry of Home Affairs has also sent an exhaustive recommendation for blocking these malicious apps. This Ministry has also received many representations raising concerns from citizens regarding the security of data and risk to privacy relating to the operation of certain apps. The Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-IN) has also received many representations from citizens regarding the security of data and breach of privacy impacting upon public order issues. Likewise, there have been similar bipartisan concerns, flagged by various public representatives, both outside and inside the Parliament of India. There has been a strong chorus in the public space to take strict action against Apps that harm India's sovereignty as well as the privacy of our citizens.

On the basis of these and upon receiving of recent credible inputs that such Apps pose threat to sovereignty and integrity of India, the Government of India has decided to disallow the usage of certain Apps, used in both mobile and non-mobile Internet-enabled devices. These apps are listed in the attached appendix.

This move will safeguard the interests of crores of Indian mobile and internet users. This decision is a targeted move to ensure the safety and sovereignty of Indian cyberspace.

Appendix

1.TikTok 31. Mi Video Call – Xiaomi
2.Shareit 32. WeSync
3.Kwai 33. ES File Explorer
4.UC Browser 34. Viva Video – QU Video Inc
5.Baidu map 35. Meitu
6.Shein 36. Vigo Video
7.Clash of Kings 37. New Video Status
8.DU battery saver 38. DU Recorder
9.Helo 39. Vault- Hide
10. Likee 40. Cache Cleaner DU App studio
11. YouCam makeup 41. DU Cleaner
12. Mi Community 42. DU Browser
13. CM Browers 43. Hago Play With New Friends
14. Virus Cleaner 44. Cam Scanner
15. APUS Browser 45. Clean Master – Cheetah Mobile
16. ROMWE 46. Wonder Camera
17. Club Factory 47. Photo Wonder
18. Newsdog 48. QQ Player
19. Beutry Plus 49. We Meet
20. WeChat 50. Sweet Selfie
21. UC News 51. Baidu Translate
22. QQ Mail 52. Vmate
23. Weibo 53. QQ International
24. Xender 54. QQ Security Center
25. QQ Music 55. QQ Launcher
26. QQ Newsfeed 56. U Video
27. Bigo Live 57. V fly Status Video
28. SelfieCity 58. Mobile Legends
29. Mail Master 59. DU Privacy


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