India bans 118 apps with links to China, including PUBG Mobile and WeChat

[midian182]

What just happened? With tensions between China and India showing no signs of abating, the latter has banned another 118 mobile apps with links to China. The list includes PUBG Mobile, which is incredibly popular in India, along with messaging app WeChat.

The Indian Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology claims the apps "are engaged in activities which are prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, the security of state and public order."

The agency goes on to say that it has received complaints from "various sources," alleging that the Chinese apps are "stealing and surreptitiously transmitting" users' data to servers outside of India. In addition to PUBG and WeChat, Baidu, AliPay, and Sina News are also on the ban list.

Government Blocks 118 Mobile Apps Which are Prejudicial to Sovereignty and Integrity of India, Defence of India, Security of State and Public Order.

Press Release issued by @GoI_MeitY regarding blocking of 118 mobile apps https://t.co/VyahsHR5f0

— Ministry of Electronics & IT (@GoI_MeitY) September 2, 2020

This isn't the first instance of India taking such action. Back in June, 58 Chinese-made apps were banned in the country, including TikTok. The video-sharing social network, which has courted controversy in the US, was the most-downloaded app in India, where it had over 200 million users—its largest market outside of China.

The bans are a response to the tensions between the countries rising from a disputed Himalayan border, where fighting between the nations has left at least 20 Indian soldiers dead and seen an unknown number of Chinese casualties.

TikTok is also facing problems in the US. President Trump last month signed a pair of executive orders prohibiting US transactions with TikTok and WeChat, a move that TikTok is challenging in court. We recently heard that Microsoft is working with Walmart to acquire the app's US business arm from ByteDance.

Image credit: Ritesh Ranjan Sett

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[QuantumPhysics]

Banning app is childish.

Although it may cost China a small amount of money, in the long term China basically runs Southeast Asia and they have more than enough loyal TickTock followers and people buying HuaWei products to not have to worry about a bump in the road involving America and India..

 

[mbrowne5061]

Banning app is childish.

Although it may cost China a small amount of money, in the long term China basically runs Southeast Asia and they have more than enough loyal TickTock followers and people buying HuaWei products to not have to worry about a bump in the road involving America and India..

In the long term, India is projected to overtake China in terms of both GDP and population. This is likely just the start of India flexing some region muscle.

 

[QuantumPhysics]

In the long term, India is projected to overtake China in terms of both GDP and population. This is likely just the start of India flexing some region muscle.

Thanks to the British, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh have enough problems to keep them occupied while China surges forward.

China's poverty is LESS than India's poverty.

By Far.

 

[Axil00]

Banning app is childish.

Although it may cost China a small amount of money, in the long term China basically runs Southeast Asia and they have more than enough loyal TickTock followers and people buying HuaWei products to not have to worry about a bump in the road involving America and India..

At what point does it become more than a bump in the road? China is under a lot of pressure from the richest country in the world. India has a lot to gain by adding to China's troubles as they compete directly in a lot of areas.

China is not going to go away but the last couple years have certainly eroded a lot of the economic momentum that they've enjoyed for so long.

 

[candle_86]

Thanks to the British, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh have enough problems to keep them occupied while China surges forward.

China's poverty is LESS than India's poverty.

By Far.

China needs India. China won't start a full scale trade war with India because Indy is the one country on the planet that can bankrupt China. All India has to do is close the Indian ocean to Chinese flaged vessels or any merchantile traffic bound for China. China's oil comes through the Indian ocean most of China's exports go through the Indian ocean.

India is in a fantastic position to both cripple China as well as take over its production of the world supplies of basically everything

 

[loki1944]

Awesome!

 

[texasrattler]

Banning app is childish.

Although it may cost China a small amount of money, in the long term China basically runs Southeast Asia and they have more than enough loyal TickTock followers and people buying HuaWei products to not have to worry about a bump in the road involving America and India..

Its not childish, its business and is done everyday without most ppl even knowning. In todays world everyone knows everyones business. So instead of hiding things you tell the world whats going on. Sometimes it works sometimes it doesnt. But China is hated all over these days so India will get some support especially from the US.

If you think China dont care about the US and India, think again. Thats like saying a rich person hes has enough money. Heres a hint, there is no such thing as having enough. Rich want it all. Its all about money and power, the more you have the more you control.

 

[Homerlovesbeer]

I use Wechat daily to communicate with Chinese factories. I am aware conversations are possibly monitored so I keep the talk to business.

It's an excellent tool so to ban it will cause Chinese businesses a headache.

 

[Shadowboxer]

Good. Chinese technology practises are abhorrent and should be sanctioned.

 

[mbrowne5061]

Thanks to the British, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh have enough problems to keep them occupied while China surges forward.

China's poverty is LESS than India's poverty.

By Far.

Cool. The IMF, UN, and every bank in the world should be talking to you instead whichever loons they have been consulting.

 

[Frinik22]

QuantumPhysics said
Thanks to the British, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh have enough problems to keep them occupied while China surges forward.

China's poverty is LESS than India's poverty.

By Far.

As someone who lived 4 years in India and visited most parts of that country I can say that while Indians don't miss British colonial rule they are nevertheless grateful to England for giving them the English language, a vibrant parliamentary democracy, the English common law and functioning railways. Add to that a young and growing population and huge pool of talented IT workers who are prized all over the World and if I were a betting man I would put my money on India rather than on a stifling dictatorship, constantly prying on its population for any sign of dissent, with a fast ageing population, a fast shrinking labour force and an unpopular foreign policy. That being said I have great respect and affection for the Chinese people and I never underestimate their ability to endure and thrive in adversity.