TikTok, UC Browser, SHAREit among 59 mobile apps banned in India: Full list

TikTok, UC Browser, SHAREit among 59 mobile apps banned in India: Full list

The Indian government has decided to ban 59 Chinese apps redirecting data and others with issues related to privacy measures amid the ongoing border disputes. The list includes the popular social media app TikTok.

The government has decided to restrict the usage of these apps both in mobile phones and non-mobile devices which does not support internet services.

“The Ministry of Information Technology, invoking its 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”, read the government notice announcing the ban.

"The press release also mentioned that the Ministry of Information Technology received, “many representations raising concerns from citizens regarding security of data and risk to privacy relating to operation of certain apps”.

The press release further stated, “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.”

The release also said that the initiative to ban Chinese applications is expected to “safeguard the interests of crores of Indian mobile and internet users.” 

It said the move had been taken to maintain safety and supremacy in India’s cyber world. AppFollow, which is a mobile ranking system based in Finland, reported that the Indians have blamed apps like TikTok over the tensions in Ladakh.

Before the tensions between Indian and Chinese army took place on May 5, the short-form video platform was ranked fifth among the ten best free apps in India on Apple’s platform.

A month later, TikTok ranked number 10, which is the lowest listed on the App Store. On the other hand, the popular Chinese app slipped down to number 3 to number 5 among the Android users in terms of rankings in India.

But the app has still retained its position on the top ten most-used apps in India. TikTok is listed among the most popular apps among teenagers and has several users in India, followed by China and the US.

TikTok crossed two billion downloads mark earlier this year. Out of this two billion, India has been recorded as the most significant source with more than 611 million downloads.

The Sensor Tower released a report recently which said that Tiktok had surpassed the 2 billion mark after it crossed the 1.5 billion mark in 2020 first half. It also noted that the sudden increase was due to the COVID-19 pandemic. TikTok was the most entertaining platform for the netizens during this quarantine period.

The apps banned by the government have been listen below:

  • TikTok
  • Shareit
  • Kwai
  • UC Browser
  • Baidu map
  • Shein
  • Clash of Kings
  • DU battery saver
  • Helo
  • Likee
  • YouCam makeup
  • Mi Community
  • CM Browers
  • Virus Cleaner
  • APUS Browser
  • ROMWE
  • Club Factory
  • Newsdog
  • Beutry Plus
  • WeChat
  • UC News
  • QQ Mail
  • Weibo
  • Xender
  • QQ Music
  • QQ Newsfeed
  • Bigo Live
  • SelfieCity
  • Mail Master
  • Parallel Space
  • Mi Video Call Xiaomi
  • WeSync
  • ES File Explorer
  • Viva Video QU Video Inc
  • Meitu
  • Vigo Video
  • New Video Status
  • DU Recorder
  • Vault- Hide
  • Cache Cleaner DU App studio
  • DU Cleaner
  • DU Browser
  • Hago Play With New Friends
  • Cam Scanner
  • Clean Master Cheetah Mobile
  • Wonder Camera
  • Photo Wonder
  • QQ Player
  • We Meet
  • Sweet Selfie
  • Baidu Translate
  • Vmate
  • QQ International
  • QQ Security Center
  • QQ Launcher
  • U Video
  • V fly Status Video
  • Mobile Legends
  • DU Privacy

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