With border tensions high, India has reportedly banned 43 more Chinese apps, bringing the total to more than 160.
In part, the move is a reflection of the border dispute that flared up in June between the two nations, which left 20 Indian soldiers dead. India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, previously banned 118 mobile apps in September.
The IT agency said in a news release at the time that the wide array of apps being banned came about “in view of information available [that] they are engaged in activities which [are] prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defense of India, security of state and public order.” In addition, the IT agency stated that there are “serious concerns that these apps collect and share data in a surreptitious manner and compromise personal data and information of users that can have a severe threat to the security of the State.”
The Times of India reported Tuesday (Nov. 24) that the banned apps include some familiar names, including Alibaba Workbench, AliExpress, Alipay Cashier, CamCard and WeDate. The IT agency said it “has issued the order for blocking the access of these apps by users in India based on the comprehensive reports received from the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Center.”
“[The] government is committed to protect[ing] the interests of citizens and sovereignty and integrity of India on all fronts and it shall take all possible steps to ensure that,” the agency added.
The Wall Street Journal reported that both Indian and Chinese troops — which usually leave the Himalayan border flashpoint as it gets colder — are instead staying put as the harsh mountain winter begins.
Last year, the Indian government began going after social media apps run by Chinese companies, with an eye toward creating new regulations that would force them to oversee the content being shared.