NEW DELHI: The government’s action against Chinese apps over data breach of Indian citizens and threat to national security continues with a fresh set of 54 apps being ordered blocked as they were suspected to be engaged in illegal espionage and surveillance activities on Indian citizens.
The action follows similar steps taken since June 2020 that has seen as many as 267 apps being blocked through various orders that included removing some of the top ones such as TikTok, PUBG, UC Browser, WeChat, CamScanner, Baidu Search and Weibo.
With the latest action, the number of Chinese apps blocked in India now stands at 321. The news ones blocked included apps related to beauty, music, dating and gaming.
Some of the apps that will be blocked are either the cloned versions of those banned previously, or have similar functionality, privacy issues and security threats, as per the government which took the action on the recommendations of the home ministry.
“These 54 apps allegedly obtain various critical permissions and collect sensitive user data. These collected real-time data are being misused and transmitted to servers located in hostile country,” the IT ministry said. “This will enable them to compile huge personal data to mine, collate, analyse and profile by the elements who are hostile to the sovereignty and integrity of India and for activities detrimental to national security,” it added.
TOI had reported on August 30, 2021, that several Chinese apps were back in the Indian online eco-system – despite the ban – by hiding their origins, changing their names, or with scarce information about their ownership. The fresh action also comes when ties between India and China continue to be cold over the border disputes.
Source : TOI