What: 59 mobile apps ban
Who: Ministry of IT and Electronics
When: June 29, 2020
Why: Threat to national security and sovereignty
The Government of India on June 29, 2020 banned 59 mobile apps most of them popular Chinese applications such as TikTok, Shareit, Mi Video Call, Club Factory and Cam Scanner, citing threat to national security and sovereignty. The Government said that these apps are prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order.
Electronics and IT Ministry said in a release that these apps were banned in view of information available they are engaged in activities which are prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of the country, defence of the country and security of state and public order.
The Ministry said it was invoking its power under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act read with the relevant provisions of the Information Technology (Procedure and Safeguards for Blocking of Access of Information by Public) Rules, 2009.
The banned apps include TikTok, Helo and WeChat.
The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (), Ministry of Home Affairs has also sent an exhaustive recommendation for blocking these malicious apps.
The Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-IN) has also received many representations from citizens regarding security of data and breach of privacy impacting upon public order issues.
