On June 29, 2020, the Indian government announced that it would ban 59 Chinese apps, citing national security and data privacy concerns. This decision was made in response to the rising tension between India and China after a deadly border skirmish in the Galwan Valley. However, the government didn’t stop there. On September 2, 2020, the Indian Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEIT) banned another set of 118 mobile apps, including the popular gaming app PUBG, citing similar reasons.
The recent ban of 14 additional apps on November 24, 2020, only added fuel to the fire. The government once again cited security issues as the reason behind the move and said that these apps were engaging in activities that were “prejudicial to the sovereignty and integrity of India, defense of India, security of the state, and public order.” Interestingly, most of these apps were either developed by or had links to China.
So, what happened to these 14 banned apps in India, and what impact did it have on the users and the app market in general? Let’s dive in.
1. AliSuppliers Mobile App
The AliSuppliers Mobile App was developed by Alibaba Group as a platform for connecting buyers with wholesale suppliers. The app was targeted at small and medium enterprises (SMEs) looking to sell international quality products.
Given the rising anti-China sentiment in India, it’s not hard to see why the government would ban an app that enables Indian businesses to do business with Chinese suppliers.
2. Alibaba Workbench
Another Alibaba app, the Alibaba Workbench, is an app designed for corporate clients who use Alibaba’s e-commerce platform, allowing them to manage orders, reviews, and inventory.
Once again, the government cited similar reasons as that for AliSuppliers Mobile App and banned Alibaba Workbench.
3. AliExpress
AliExpress, Alibaba’s online retail store, was also banned. The app allowed Indian consumers to shop online for Chinese products at affordable prices.
While there is no doubt that AliExpress has a large user base in India, the ban may be seen as a way to promote the ‘Made in India’ initiative and encourage Indian consumers to buy domestic products.
4. Lalamove India – Delivery App
Lalamove India is a delivery app that enables users to book delivery services for their goods and belongings. The app offers an on-demand delivery platform that connects businesses and individuals with delivery drivers.
The ban of Lalamove India might affect the needs of small businesses that rely on the app to deliver their products.
5. Snack Video
Developed by Kuaishou, a Chinese multinational tech company, Snack Video is a short-video app that allows users to create and share short videos with friends and followers.
Snack Video gained a lot of traction in India, particularly after the ban of TikTok. The app’s removal is unlikely to affect the Indian app market significantly, as alternatives such as Instagram Reels and Chingari are available.
6. CamCard – Business Card Reader
CamCard is a business card reader that enables users to scan and digitize business cards. The app also allows users to store contacts and manage their networks.
With the rising security concerns, it’s understandable why this app made it to the list of banned apps in India since it was developed by Chinese tech giant Huawei.
7. VooV Meeting – Tencent Video Conferencing
VooV Meeting is a video conferencing app developed by Tencent. It enables users to host and attend virtual meetings, webinars, and online classes.
As with other Tencent products, VooV Meeting was banned, citing security concerns related to data transfer and user privacy.
8. ES File Explorer – File Manager
ES File Explorer is a popular file manager app that enables users to browse and organize their files, transfer files between devices, and access their files remotely.
However, many security experts have criticized ES File Explorer, as it collects data such as device information, IP address, and installed apps, among other things. Therefore, it was understandable why this app made the list.
9. Kwai – Short Video Maker & Community
Kwai is another short video app developed by Kuaishou, which allows users to create and share short videos with friends and followers.
Kwai’s removal is unlikely to affect the Indian app market much, as there are already many alternatives available, including Instagram Reels and Chingari.
10. Baidu
Baidu, a popular Chinese search engine, also made it to the list of banned apps in India.
The app is not as popular in India as it is in China, and therefore, its removal is unlikely to affect the Indian app market significantly.
11. WeChat Work
WeChat Work is an app developed by Tencent, which allows companies and businesses to communicate and collaborate with their employees and clients.
The ban on WeChat Work is unlikely to affect small and medium-sized businesses significantly, as there are already other alternatives available, such as WhatsApp, Google Meet, and Zoom.
12. Tencent Weiyun
Tencent Weiyun is a cloud storage service similar to Dropbox, Google Drive, and OneDrive. The app allows users to store and share files online securely.
Given the current security concerns related to data transfer and user privacy, it’s not surprising that Tencent Weiyun made it to the list of banned apps.
13. QQ Mail
QQ Mail is an email app developed by Tencent. It allows users to send and receive emails and provides cloud storage for attachments.
The app is not as popular in India as Gmail or Yahoo, and therefore, its removal is unlikely to affect the Indian app market significantly.
14. QQ Music – Mp3 Player & Radio
QQ Music is an app developed by Tencent for streaming music and radio. It offers a vast library of Chinese and international music and allows users to create playlists and listen offline.
Given the recent tensions between India and China, it’s understandable why QQ Music, along with other Tencent products, made it to the list of banned apps.
Conclusion
The ban of 14 apps in India has created chaos and confusion among app users, advertisers, and developers. However, the ban was necessary to ensure national security and data privacy concerns. Furthermore, there are many alternatives available for most of the apps banned, and Indian users and businesses can benefit from promoting ‘Made in India’ products. Nevertheless, the government needs to work actively towards building a more robust and secure app ecosystem in India rather than just banning apps.
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