As per Hindustan Times, India’s Intelligence agencies have submitted a report of 52 Chinese apps, which should be blocked using to avoid cyber disadvantage later. Apps like UC browser, TikTok, ShareIt, etc are on the list, which is called Chinese cyber doors to spy and steal information, and could be leveraged in any critical situations. Thus, few Chinese apps were listed to warn citizens of using, and it’s even backed by the National Security Council.
China has long been accused of malicious apps and hacking as cyber espionage on governmental institutions. While few countries have even banned the Chinese apps in their nations, the Indian government and its citizens, on the other hand, have been thousands of Chinese products in their regular lives. While some are accepted, electronics and smart gadgets are often doubted as spyware tools.
India going hard on China can also be attributed to many reasons. For example, the ongoing border tensions between India and China and an accusation of China spreading Coronavirus as bio-weapon are strong reasons motivating Indians to go against China. Netizens have been calling to boycott Chinese products, which is even desired in one of the many campaigns from Modi, India’s Prime Minister.
Here’s a list of the apps that have been banned by the government:
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
All these apps are developed by Chinese players or have been linked to China in some way. Thus, general speculation is that apps like these contain spyware are may be used for tracking and stealing sensitive information from users, and also be used for downplaying them in critical situations. What the Indian government will be deciding about this is yet to be seen.