Government’s tech surgical strike on China; Bans 59 Chinese mobile apps

 

In a major significant move, the Government of India has today decided to ban 59 mobile apps which according to Ministry of Electronics and IT are prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order. In the course, the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, MHA has also sent an exhaustive recommendation for blocking these malicious apps which according to the ministry pose a threat to the security of our country.

 

In order to safeguard the interests of crores of Indian mobile and internet users, 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 information available they are engaged in activities which is prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order, the ministry disclosed through an official statement today.

 

 

 

 

Sharing the entire list of to-be banned apps, it also stated that 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. However, 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,” said the Government order.

 

According to the ministry 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.

 

As per the information shared by the officials, 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. The Ministry has also received many representations raising concerns from citizens regarding security of data and risk to privacy relating to operation of certain apps.

 

The Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-IN) has also received many representations from citizens regarding 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. 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.

 

The soon to-be banned apps are listed in the attached appendix which according to the Govt. will not only safeguard the interests of crores of Indian mobile and internet users but the decision is also a targeted move to ensure safety and sovereignty of Indian cyberspace.