China on Wednesday strongly objected to India’s blocking of 43 more Chinese apps saying India has repeatedly used national security as an excuse to prohibit mobile apps with Chinese background. China’s spokesperson in India Ji Rong said it hoped that India provides a fair, impartial and non-discriminatory business environment for all market players and rectify discriminatory practices violating the World Trade Organisation norms. The Chinese government has always required overseas Chinese companies to abide by international rules, operate in compliance with laws and regulations and conform to public order and good morals, Rong said.

In the third such crackdown on Chinese-linked smartphone applications, the Government of India on Tuesday banned 43 apps under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act. The government said intel inputs on these mobile apps said they were engaged in activities prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of the state and public order.

In June, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY) banned 59 Chinese-owned applications, believed to be a threat to the national security of India. The apps banned on Tuesday include AliSuppliers mobile App, AliExpress – Smarter Shopping, Alipay Cashier, Alibaba Workbench, CamCard – Business Card Reader, Better Living, CamCard – BCR (Western), DingTalk and more.  

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Now, a total of 220 Chinese-owned apps are banned in India including popular apps like PUBG Mobile, TikTok, UC Browser, Shareit, WeChat and CamScanner among others. The Centre issued the order for blocking access to these apps by users in India based on reports received from the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Center.

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