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Chinese investors in Indian unicorns: India sitting on data trap

While the government did see the threat from the Chinese apps, it does not see any from investors from China accessing data of Indian consumers from their Indian partners.

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By Sambhav Sharma

With the ban on some 220 Chinese apps, India may have protected its sovereignty and integrity from prying Chinese eyes. But authorities, however, don’t seem to have a clue in protecting the country’s data from Chinese investors, who continue to invest in Indian apps and unicorns and gain access to data of users, who are predominantly Indian citizens. Besides the agreements between the investors and the apps are not in public forums for analysts to study it.

While the government did see the threat from the Chinese apps, it does not see any from investors from China accessing data of Indian consumers from their Indian partners. It is high time the government answer this question: Should the government continue to allow Chinese investors in Indian unicorns without adequate norms for protecting Indian users’ data?

During 2016-19, Chinese investments in Indian start-ups have grown 12 times. An India Today report  listed the Alibaba Group’s strategic investments in Indian unicorns, starting from Big Basket ($250 million), Paytm.com ($400 million), Paytm Mall ($150 million), Zomato ($200 million) to Snapdeal ($700 million). Tencent, the other Chinese company, has invested in Indian firms like Byju’s ($50 million), Flipkart ($300 million), Hike Messenger ($150 million), Ola ($500 million) and Swiggy ($500 million). The investment from China seems to have fallen in 2020 following changes in the foreign direct investment rules that made prior government approval mandatory for investments from countries that share a land border with India. The Alibaba Group is among those hit by the new norms and is unlikely to sign fresh deals to fund Indian companies.

tiktok

A recent Indian Express report said a Shenzen-based tech company with links to the Chinese government and Chinese Communist Party is monitoring 10,000 individuals and organisations including key decision-makers like the Prime Minister, Chief of Defence Staff among others.

Given the ban on apps because they were a threat to security, the government is yet to formulate full-fledged data security norms. Cyberlaw expert Pavan Duggal, who spoke to APN, said, “Chinese apps like Tiktok, Shareit were a great threat to Indian data because these apps, compared to other apps, were asking for a lot of permissions. They were generating and collecting a lot of personal data of users and sending them to servers in China which could be analysed using artificial intelligence and machine learning.”

“Any and every server anywhere is vulnerable to a potential data breach. But servers in China are highly vulnerable as China has a national cybersecurity law from 2017 and under this law, any information to servers, systems located within China could be automatically accessed or shared with the Chinese government. Hence, data on Chinese servers is not at all safe,”

-Duggal

“On the other hand, India does not have any law on data protection. The Personal Data Protection Bill, 2019 is pending for consideration of the joint parliamentary committee. As far as data is concerned, India is a leaking ecosystem,” he said.

Economist Akash Jindal said India needs to curb Chinese investment because it’s a threat to national security. When asked about the economic impact of curbing Chinese FDI, he said if we are able to market ourselves well, we would be in a position to solicit the same FDI from other countries. 

On the security implications of  a potential data breach in apps/companies associated with Chinese investors, defence expert PK Sehgal said not only does India need to ban apps linked to China, but “we also need to ban companies like Tencent, Alibaba who are stealing our data”. The moment India does it, other countries will follow, he said.

Talking about modern warfare, he said predictability plays an important role in warfare and data can help to predict the enemy, hence, security implications of a data breach are manifold.  Data help to carry out psycho-analysis of important personalities and how leaders are going to react in a certain situation, he said. Sehgal emphasised on the need to take cyber warfare more seriously.

“India needs to secure data as the Chinese are in a position to create chaos and mayhem in India. Through the use of artificial intelligence, China can refine data and can impact India’s financial sector, railways, power grid. Before a single bullet is fired, there may be chaos and mayhem in India,” he added.

He emphasised on the use of information, misinformation, disinformation, propaganda as the tools of modern war. Last year, an Army jawan was honey-trapped via social media and ended up sharing confidential information with Pakistani agencies. When asked about the laws/guidelines for defence personnel using apps, Sehgal added the Defence Ministry has very clear instructions that defence personnel are not supposed to have these apps, but it is tough to monitor each jawan. Jawans are the most vulnerable for a potential honey trap, Sehgal said.

Read Also: Schools set to restart partial work in a few states

Given this situation, India needs to come up with a clear and cogent policy to deal with data localisation and specific guidelines so that the data has to be dedicatedly protected, otherwise Chinese investors could impact Indian security, sovereignty and integrity.

India News

Abhishek Banerjee says will not bow to BJP after nearly 11 hours of ED questioning

After spending nearly 11 hours before the Enforcement Directorate, TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee said he would not bow to the BJP and accused the ruling party of using investigative agencies for political purposes.

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Abhishek Banerjee

Trinamool Congress leader and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday said he would not bow to the BJP after spending nearly 11 hours being questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an ongoing investigation.

Speaking after the questioning, Banerjee alleged that central agencies were being used to target opposition leaders and asserted that he would continue his political fight despite what he described as sustained pressure.

The TMC leader has repeatedly maintained that investigations involving him are politically motivated, a charge he has made on several previous occasions while appearing before central agencies.

His appearance before the ED comes amid a period of heightened political activity and multiple investigations involving leaders in West Bengal. Recent days have also seen Banerjee face summons and questioning in separate matters by state investigative agencies.

After leaving the ED office, Banerjee reiterated that he would not be intimidated and said he remained committed to his political responsibilities. He also accused the BJP of attempting to weaken opposition parties through investigative action, an allegation that the BJP has rejected in the past.

The Enforcement Directorate has not publicly commented on Banerjee’s remarks. The investigation related to the questioning remains ongoing.

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India News

DMK attacks Rahul Gandhi, accuses him of weakening opposition unity

DMK has intensified its criticism of Rahul Gandhi, alleging that the Congress leader’s actions have weakened opposition unity and strained relations within the INDIA bloc.

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The war of words between the DMK and Congress has intensified, with the DMK launching a strong attack on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and accusing him of contributing to divisions within the opposition alliance. The criticism comes amid strained ties between the two parties following their political split in Tamil Nadu.

According to the DMK, Rahul Gandhi’s political approach has weakened unity among opposition parties. The party’s IT wing mocked the Congress leader on social media, while an editorial published in the DMK’s official mouthpiece Murasoli questioned his recent remarks on opposition solidarity.

DMK questions Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on opposition unity

In its editorial, Murasoli argued that Rahul Gandhi was speaking about opposition unity despite, according to the DMK, contributing to disagreements among alliance partners in several states. The publication cited criticism directed at Congress by various opposition parties and suggested that the party’s actions had often created tensions within the INDIA bloc.

The editorial also referred to past political disputes involving Congress and Left parties, particularly in Kerala, claiming such episodes had raised concerns among opposition allies about Congress’s approach toward its partners.

Tamil Nadu political fallout adds to tensions

The attack comes after a major political realignment in Tamil Nadu. Following the 2026 Assembly elections, Congress ended its alliance with the DMK and joined the government led by Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The move left the DMK in the opposition and significantly altered the political equation between the two former allies.

The DMK has alleged that Congress benefited from the alliance during the election and later abandoned its partner. The party’s editorial questioned whether assurances from Congress leadership would be trusted by alliance partners after the developments in Tamil Nadu.

Congress rejects allegations

Congress has not issued a detailed official response to the editorial, but party sources have rejected the allegations. According to the party, its decisions in Tamil Nadu were made in line with the mandate delivered by voters and were not intended to undermine either the DMK or the broader opposition alliance.

The latest exchange highlights growing strains between two key opposition parties even as leaders continue to stress cooperation on national issues. Just days earlier, Rahul Gandhi had said that the DMK remained aligned with the opposition on defending the “idea of India” despite political differences.

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Entertainment

Kumkum Bhagya actor Sanchita Ugale dies by suicide near Mumbai at 22

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, died by suicide at her residence near Mumbai. Police have launched an investigation.

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Sanchita Ugale

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for her appearances in Kumkum Bhagya, Wagle Ki Duniya and Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi, died by suicide at her residence in Nalasopara East near Mumbai on June 14. She was 22.

According to police officials, the incident took place at her home in Achole village, Nalasopara East. Authorities said Ugale had locked herself inside her bedroom and was later found hanging from a ceiling fan. Family members and local residents rushed her to a hospital, where doctors declared her dead.

Police have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death. Officials said inquiries are underway and the exact reason behind the incident has not yet been established.

Career across television, OTT and films

Ugale had built a growing presence in the entertainment industry through television, streaming projects and films. Apart from Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, she played a lead role in Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi. She also appeared in OTT projects such as Crime Aaj Kal and Silence 2.

The actor was also associated with the film Chhaava, which contributed to her growing recognition among audiences.

Last social media post draws attention

Following news of her death, social media users shared and commented on Ugale’s final Instagram post, which had been uploaded hours before the incident. The post showed the actor in traditional attire lip-syncing to a classic Bollywood song. Fans expressed shock and grief after learning of her death.

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