India blocks downloads of VLC player

[Daniel Sims]

In brief: TechSpot lists VLC Player as an essential app to install on a PC or Mac, but one of the world's most populous countries has tried to ban it. The attempt may be due to regional tensions, but it's likely impossible to block all access to a piece of PC software.

The official website for VLC Player has been inaccessible in India for a few months now. The Indian government banned it, possibly after a security incident, but that won't necessarily stop Indian users from getting it.

Right now, it appears that Indian ISPs are blocking VideoLAN's website as well as mobile downloads of VLC Player, though some ISPs haven't restricted Google Play Store downloads. Those who already have VLC Player installed can still use it. VideoLAN told India Today that the ban started in February, but many users in India are still discovering they can't download the famously versatile media player through official channels.

India's Department of Telecommunications hasn't explained the restriction, but it could be out of fear of Chinese hackers. In April, security researchers discovered that Chinese hackers were using VLC to deliver malware loaders that could spy on users and steal credentials. Indian authorities have been wary of any software connected to China for a couple of years due to border conflicts between the two countries.

If you are in India, please help us. https://t.co/rOpIjlx0q9

— VideoLAN (@videolan) August 12, 2022

In 2020, India banned over 100 apps and games linked to China – many of them very popular, including TikTok, PUBG, WeChat, Baidu, AliPay, and Sina News. The move came after disputes between China and India over a Himalayan border turned violent.

However, blocking the official website for a PC app only stops users from reaching the app's primary safe download location. Many will likely look for alternative download mirrors that could spread malware similar to the earlier attacks.

Furthermore, VideoLAN patched the vulnerability which led to those attacks, making India's current ban meaningless. Alternate downloads could contain older versions of VLC Player that are still vulnerable.

Fortunately, many sites maintain safe and up-to-date downloads of popular PC software like VLC, including TechSpot. If you are in India and can't access VideoLAN's download page, you can get VLC Player here for Windows, Mac, Linux, and Android.

Permalink to story.

https://www.techspot.com/news/95647-india-blocks-downloads-vlc-player.html

 

[RudyBob]

India gets it and is actually doing something.

 

[Nobina]

In 2020, India banned over 100 apps and games linked to China – many of them very popular, including TikTok, PUBG, WeChat, Baidu, AliPay, and Sina News.

Censorship sucks but I can see how blocking TikTok can have a positive effect on people, not that they did it for that reason but it's still overall positive.

 

[dualkelly]

Time to switch to K-lite and media player classic... vlc sucks in comparison anyways. That being said government censorship of software blows in particularly a software used all around the world that isn't harming anyone. All means should be used to circumvent said censorship and Screw the government. I suggest they follow the route of pirate bay and set up portals for alternate download sites.

 

[ypsylon]

I don't know what people see in VLC. Tried multiple times and it doesn't gel with me at all. On MacOS kind of see the appeal considering dumb restrictions Apple place on codecs, on PC nope.

For lightweight, super safe the MPC is still king.
If you want a bit of eye candy PotPlayer (from Korea, South if any doubts ) is excellent choice.

 

[terzaerian]

This is batshit. They might as well ban Windows, as that would be more effective in preventing malware infections than any one application.

 

[zamroni111]

The govt simply wants to prevent hacking using video player

 

[Mr Majestyk]

VLC is pretty dodgy company. I don't use it any more, much better options like POT player.

 

[toooooot]

This thing between India and China is getting more tense...

 

[woofer]

I don't know what people see in VLC. Tried multiple times and it doesn't gel with me at all. On MacOS kind of see the appeal considering dumb restrictions Apple place on codecs, on PC nope.

For lightweight, super safe the MPC is still king.
If you want a bit of eye candy PotPlayer (from Korea, South if any doubts ) is excellent choice.

Agree that VLC is a pain. Seems it has gotten progressively less intuitive as it adds more features. I used to use it on Linux and Windows over 10 years ago, but it just got too cranky for me (or vice-versa ...).