India bans more than 200 Chinese apps in a further digital retaliation against China: Everything you need to know in 10 POINTS

In New Delhi: The Indian government banned over 200 applications as part of its “Digital Strike 2.0” initiative in response to the escalating occurrences of loan and finance-related scams and online fraud. These applications were largely connected to China. On Sunday, the procedure to prohibit access to these 138 betting applications and 94 loan lending apps got under way. Concerns about online fraud and criminality, as well as security issues related to the use of Chinese apps and digital platforms, are what led to the major shift.

After receiving a message from the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) announced on Sunday that it had begun the procedure to restrict the apps—most of which had links to China—on a “urgent” and “emergency” basis.

Here is the complete story regarding this digital crackdown in 10 points, as India continues its offensive against Chinese apps:

Digital strike 2.0: India bans 138 betting apps, 94 loan lending apps with Chinese links

1. Around 230 Chinese apps have been ordered to be banned by India, including 138 betting apps and 94 loan lending apps.
2. According to verified media sources, the action has been taken in accordance with Section 69 of the IT Act because the documents “contain material which is harmful to the sovereignty and integrity of India.”
3. The move was initiated after several complaints of extortion and harassment of individuals by online lending and finance apps, mostly linked to Chinese developers
4. The request to ban these apps was raised mostly from Telangana, Odisha and Uttar Pradesh as well as central intelligence agencies.
5. These apps as well as the advertisement stand illegal in India as betting and gambling are illegal in most parts of India.
6. The government has found that 94 apps are available on e-stores and that others are working through third-party links.
7. According to the warning released by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the operation of these apps within India is prohibited by the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act 2019, Cable TV Network Regulation Act 1995, and the IT Rules, 2021.
8. According to media reports, in addition to posing a security risk to Indian citizen data, these apps can be abused as instruments for propaganda and espionage.
9. In June 2020, India blocked access to 59 mobile apps and in September it banned 118 more apps under section 69A of the IT Act.
10. 43 mobile apps, including PUBG Mobile, TikTok, Weibo, WeChat, and AliExpress, were blocked by an order issued by the Centre in November 2020 under section 69A of the IT Act.

source from: msn.com