In view of the emergent nature of threats to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order, the Ministry of Information Technology, invoking it’s 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 has decided to block 59 apps that includes TikTok, Helo, WeChat, SHAREit, etc.
It was reported that these apps engaged in activities that is prejudicial .
There have been raging concerns on data security and safeguarding the privacy of 130 crore Indians by these apps. The Ministry of Information Technology has received many complaints about misuse of some mobile apps available on Android and iOS platforms for stealing and surreptitiously taking users’ data in an unauthorized manner and transmitting it to servers outside India.
“The compilation of these data, its mining and profiling by elements hostile to national security and defence of India, which ultimately impinges upon the sovereignty and integrity of India, is a matter of very deep and immediate concern which requires emergency measures.”, the PIB release read.
The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, Ministry of Home Affairs had earlier sent an exhaustive recommendation for blocking these malicious apps. This Ministry has also received representations raising concerns from citizens in aspects relating to data security, risk and privacy relating to operation of certain 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.
There has been bipartisan support by public representatives both outside and within the Parliament apart from the strong chorus in the public space to take strict action against Apps that harm India’s sovereignty as well as the privacy of our citizens.
On the basis of these and upon receiving of recent credible inputs the Government of India decided to disallow the usage of certain Apps, used in both mobile and non-mobile Internet enabled devices.
This move will safeguard the interests of crores of Indian mobile and internet users. This decision is a targeted move to ensure safety and sovereignty of Indian cyberspace.
Apps Banned
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