Centre Decides to Permanently Ban 59 Chinese Apps Including TikTok, WeChat, SHAReit and Others

New Delhi: The government at the Centre on Monday decided to permanently ban 59 Chinese mobile applications including TikTok. The announcement came several months after the government had first banned Chinese apps temporarily in last June. Also Read – Samsung Reigns Supreme, Retains Top Spot in Global Smartphone Market in 2020

The government had sought responses from the companies on the show cause notices, but sources said that it is not satisfied with their responses. According to people in the know, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has sent notices to 59 apps including Tiktok. Also Read – China Urges India to Withdraw Ban on TikTok, Other Apps; Says Decision Violates WTO Rules

The ministry suspended access to the apps in India last year amid the border tussle with China. It had said that these measures were undertaken on the basis of credible information that these apps are engaged in activities which are prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order. Also Read – TikTok to Cut Jobs in India After Ban Extends

The Chinese apps under interim ban include Club Factory, SHAREit, Likee, Mi Video Call (Xiaomi), Weibo, Baidu, BIGO LIVE, WeChat, UC Browser and Xiaomi’s Mi Community.

(With Agency inputs)