Following receiving instructions from the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY), issued orders to block 232 apps in all, which were operated by foreign entities, including those of China, for being involved in betting, gambling, and unauthorized loan service. The order was issued last evening as these apps were posing a threat to the economic stability of the country.
The Ministry of Electronics and IT has initiated the process to block these apps on an ‘urgent’ and ‘emergency’ basis. This decision has been made after it was determined that these apps contain material that is prejudicial to the sovereignty and integrity of India under Section 69 of the IT Act. It has also been learned that these apps were developed by the Chinese, who hired Indians and made them directors in operation.
In the past too, the Centre had banned several Chinese apps that posed a threat to India’s security. The government has banned more than 200 Chinese apps since June, 2020, including those like TikTok, Shareit, WeChat, Helo, Likee, UC News, Bigo Live, UC Browser, ES File Explorer, and Mi Community.
