Introduction
On June 29, 2020, the Government of India announced the ban on 59 Chinese apps citing privacy and national security concerns. Since then, several more apps have been added to the banned list, bringing the total number to 224. The ban has caused much uproar and confusion among the Indian populace. In this article, we will take a closer look at the top 14 apps that have been banned in India and what it means for you.
The Top 14 Apps Banned in India
TikTok
TikTok, the popular video-sharing app, was one of the most widely used apps in India with over 600 million downloads. The app was banned in India along with its Chinese variant Douyin, which has over 400 million users. The reason cited for the ban was the app’s alleged involvement in spreading offensive content and compromising data privacy.
WeChat, the instant messaging app, was banned in India along with its Chinese counterpart Weixin. The app was widely used in India for both personal and business communication. The reason cited for the ban was the app’s alleged involvement in sharing data with the Chinese government and compromising national security.
Helo
Helo, the social media app, was banned in India along with its Chinese variant, Hao. The app was popular among regional language users and had over 50 million monthly active users in India. The reason cited for the ban was the app’s alleged involvement in spreading fake news, hate speech, and propaganda.
UC Browser
UC Browser, the popular mobile browser, was banned in India along with its Chinese variant, UC Mini. The app had over 130 million monthly active users in India and was the second most widely used mobile browser after Google Chrome. The reason cited for the ban was the app’s alleged involvement in data theft and compromising user privacy.
Club Factory
Club Factory, the online shopping app, was banned in India along with its Chinese variant, Shein. The app was widely used in India for affordable fashion and lifestyle products. The reason cited for the ban was the app’s alleged involvement in evading taxes and violating foreign investment norms.
Xender
Xender, the file-sharing app, was banned in India along with its Chinese variant, Shareit. The app had over 100 million downloads in India and was popular for its fast and easy-to-use features. The reason cited for the ban was the app’s alleged involvement in stealing user data and compromising privacy.
CamScanner
CamScanner, the document scanning app, was banned in India along with its Chinese variant, CamCard. The app was widely used in India for scanning and storing documents. The reason cited for the ban was the app’s alleged involvement in spreading malware through in-app advertisements.
Likee
Likee, the short-video app, was banned in India along with its Chinese variant, Bigo Live. The app had over 80 million monthly active users in India and was popular among young users. The reason cited for the ban was the app’s alleged involvement in spreading offensive content and compromising privacy.
BeautyPlus
BeautyPlus, the photo editing app, was banned in India along with its Chinese variant, YouCam Makeup. The app was widely used in India for its augmented reality features and easy-to-use interface. The reason cited for the ban was the app’s alleged involvement in compromising user data and privacy.
Vigo Video
Vigo Video, the short-video app, was banned in India along with its Chinese variant, Vigo Lite. The app had over 170 million downloads in India and was popular among young users. The reason cited for the ban was the app’s alleged involvement in spreading offensive content and compromising privacy.
Parallel Space
Parallel Space, the multi-account app, was banned in India along with its Chinese variant, Parallel Space Lite. The app was widely used in India for its ability to create multiple clones of the same app on a single device. The reason cited for the ban was the app’s alleged involvement in compromising user data and privacy.
APUS Browser
APUS Browser, the mobile browser, was banned in India along with its Chinese variant, APUS Launcher. The app had over 100 million downloads in India and was popular for its clean and simple user interface. The reason cited for the ban was the app’s alleged involvement in collecting user data and compromising privacy.
Mobile Legends
Mobile Legends, the multiplayer online battle arena game, was banned in India along with its Chinese variant, Adventure Quest. The game was popular among mobile gamers in India and had over 100 million downloads. The reason cited for the ban was the app’s alleged involvement in compromising national security.
AliExpress
AliExpress, the online shopping app, was banned in India along with its Chinese variant, Alipay. The app was widely used in India for purchasing affordable products from China. The reason cited for the ban was the app’s alleged involvement in evading taxes and violating foreign investment norms.
What it Means for You
The ban on these apps has left many users in a state of confusion and uncertainty. While the ban may have been implemented to safeguard national security and protect user privacy, it has also caused a disruption in the day-to-day lives of many. Users who relied on these apps for communication, entertainment, and shopping will have to find alternatives. Businesses that used these apps for marketing and advertising will have to explore new avenues. It is essential to understand the reasons behind the ban and be cautious about using apps that may compromise user data and privacy.
Conclusion
The ban on these 14 apps is just the beginning, with several more apps being scrutinized for their privacy and security practices. It is hoped that this ban will prompt app developers to be more transparent about their data collection and sharing policies and prioritize user privacy. In the end, it is up to the individual user to exercise caution and choose apps that do not compromise their privacy.
