Indian government bans 119 apps on Google Play Store: Reports

Reports have been emerging saying that the Government of India has banned 119 smartphone applications that include a plethora of video and voice platforms linked to Hong Kong and Chinese developers. A report by MoneyControl suggested quotes to a deleted Harvard University-operated Lumen Database for the data. This ban comes five years after the major 2020 ban when all popular apps like TikTok and ShareIt were removed from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store in India citing a threat to national security.

Google Play Store app ban details

The blocking orders for the application came under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act. The same has also affected some apps from Singapore, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Australia. As for those who don’t know about the act, Section 69A under the Information Technology Act allows the central government to restrict the public from using online content for public order and national security reasons. All the officials also told the publication that these orders are confidential in nature.

Furthermore, the report by MoneyControl suggests that the majority of banned applications are still available for download from the Google Play Store. However, around 15 apps have been removed from the Store. The developers that have been affected by the band have shared their opinion with MoneyControl saying that they are willing to work with the Government of India and sort out the issue due to which the ban has been imposed on them.

Chillchat which is a Singapore-based application mentioned that the blocking will impact the entertainment and communication of the daily users from India. Until now, the Ministry has not disclosed anything related to the ban on applications.