36 out of over 200 banned apps return to Indian app stores
In a surprising turn of events, 36 out of the more than 200 apps banned by the Indian government in 2020 due to security concerns have made a comeback, available either on Google Play or Apple’s App Store or on both. India Today reported that original or clone versions of at least 36 banned apps are now accessible in India, raising concerns about the effectiveness of the government’s ban.
The banned apps, mostly Chinese, were taken down from Indian app stores in June 2020 following a border dispute between India and China. The ban was implemented to protect the country’s security and prevent the misuse of personal data. The government had issued a notification under Section 69A of the IT Act, 2000, ordering the blocking of these apps.
However, it appears that the ban was not as effective as expected. India Today reported that many of the banned apps have re-emerged in the country, often with slight modifications to their names or logos. Some of the popular apps that have made a comeback include Xender, YOUKU, Taobao, Tantan, and Mango TV.
Xender, a file-sharing app, is one of the most popular apps to have returned. The app was banned in 2020 for allegedly transmitting user data to servers in China. However, a clone version of the app, called “Xendex”, is now available on Google Play Store. YOUKU, a video streaming app, has also made a comeback, albeit with a new name, “Josh Video”.
Taobao, a popular e-commerce app, was banned for allegedly transmitting user data to servers in China. However, a clone version of the app, called “Taobao Clone”, is now available on Apple’s App Store. Tantan, a dating app, was banned for allegedly transmitting user data to servers in China. However, a clone version of the app, called “Tantan Clone”, is now available on Google Play Store.
Mango TV, a live streaming app, was banned for allegedly transmitting user data to servers in China. However, a clone version of the app, called “Mango TV Clone”, is now available on Apple’s App Store.
The return of these banned apps raises concerns about the effectiveness of the government’s ban and the ability of Chinese companies to circumvent the restrictions. The government had banned these apps citing security concerns, including data privacy and national security risks.
The ban was implemented following a border dispute between India and China in June 2020. The dispute resulted in the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers and an unknown number of Chinese soldiers. The Indian government had accused China of spreading disinformation and propaganda through these apps, which was aimed at undermining India’s national security.
The return of these banned apps also raises questions about the efficacy of the government’s monitoring mechanism. The government had claimed that it had banned these apps to prevent the misuse of personal data and to protect national security. However, the re-emergence of these apps suggests that the government’s monitoring mechanism may not be effective in preventing the misuse of personal data.
In conclusion, the return of 36 out of the more than 200 banned apps to Indian app stores raises concerns about the effectiveness of the government’s ban and the ability of Chinese companies to circumvent the restrictions. The government must take immediate action to prevent the misuse of personal data and to protect national security. It is also essential for the government to strengthen its monitoring mechanism to prevent the re-emergence of banned apps.
Source:
