In recent developments, the Indian government has taken decisive action against 119 mobile apps, with a significant number originating from Chinese and Hong Kong developers.
This move is part of a broader strategy to safeguard national security, echoing similar measures taken in previous years. In 2020, India initiated a crackdown on numerous Chinese apps, including high-profile names like TikTok and ShareIt, due to security concerns. This pattern continued into 2021 and 2022, though with fewer apps targeted in those subsequent rounds.
The decision to block these apps was made under the auspices of Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, which grants the government the authority to limit public access to online content that poses a risk to national security and public order. While the majority of these apps are still accessible for download, a report from MoneyControl indicates that only 15 have been removed from the Google Play Store to date. This information comes from a report that was once listed on the Lumen Database, operated by Harvard University, but has now been removed.
Among the apps singled out, ChillChat, developed by the Singapore-based Mangostar Team, stands out with over one million downloads and a 4.1-star rating on the Google Play Store. Also mentioned were ChangApp, a creation by Blom from China, and HoneyCam, managed by the Australian company Shellin PTY Ltd, which incorporates content review systems like automated filtering and manual oversight.
Despite the broad impact of the ban, specific security concerns tied to these applications have not been disclosed by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. Furthermore, the precise timeline for the implementation of these blocks remains unclear, following a disclosure on the Lumen Database by Google on February 18, which has since been deleted.
Developers affected by the ban, including those behind the Singapore-based ChillChat app, have expressed their awareness of the situation through notifications from Google. They have shown a readiness to collaborate with Indian authorities to resolve any issues. The ban is set to significantly disrupt the daily communication and entertainment routines of their substantial Indian user base, according to these developers.
To conclude, the Indian government’s latest move to ban 119 mobile applications highlights ongoing concerns over digital security and sovereignty. While the full impact of these bans on users and developers remains to be seen, the actions taken reflect a continued commitment to safeguarding the nation’s cyberspace against perceived threats
