The Ministry of Information and Technology has announced a ban on 118 Chinese apps including PUBG, PUBG Lite, WeChat Work, Baidu, and more. The ban comes just days after China"s latest incursion near the southern bank of Pangong lake.
In June, the Indian government banned 59 apps that included TikTok, UC Browser, ShareIT, etc. The new list includes multiple VPNs created by companies to help users bypass the initial ban and access apps like TikTok. In July, India further banned another 47 apps that were cloning apps such as ShareIT and TikTok.
Government blocks 118 mobile apps which are prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, Defence of India, Security of State and Public Order: Govt of India
— ANI (@ANI) September 2, 2020
PUBG MOBILE Nordic Map: Livik, PUBG MOBILE LITE, WeChat Work & WeChat reading are among the banned mobile apps. pic.twitter.com/VWrg3WUnO8
The Ministry of Information and Technology said it had invoked Section 69A of the Information Technology Act to safeguard the sovereignty and integrity of the country.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India 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 118 mobile apps since in view of the information available they are engaged in activities which is prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, the security of the state and public order.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology noted that the decision was taken after the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre sent a recommendation to block these apps and games for harming the sovereignty and privacy of the Indian citizens.