Observed Signal · Sep 3, 2020 · Regulation · Source: OnlineMarketing.de · Impact: 3/5 · Sentiment: Negative
India Bans 118 Chinese Apps Including PUBG Mobile
The Indian government, via the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY), published a list banning 118 additional Chinese apps from operation in India, citing threats to sovereignty, integrity, defense, state security and public order. This action follows a June ban of 59 Chinese apps—including TikTok, WeChat, Weibo, Clash of Kings and QQ Mail—over concerns about data security and privacy for about 130 million Indians. The newly banned apps list features PUBG MOBILE, Baidu, Alipay, Mobile Taobao and Youku, among many others. The restrictions apply across mobile devices, desktops and tablets in India. MEITY said the apps were linked to push activities that could lead to the theft and transfer of user data to servers outside India. The move underscores ongoing India-China tensions around data security and digital sovereignty and could affect consumers, developers and advertisers relying on these apps in the Indian market.
Significant regulatory action in a major market impacting app ecosystem and data privacy
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- MEITY published a list banning 118 additional Chinese apps banned in India.
- The ban follows a June action that blocked 59 Chinese apps over data security/privacy concerns affecting about 130 million Indians.
- Banned apps include PUBG MOBILE, Baidu, Alipay, Mobile Taobao, Youku, Sina News, Netease News, and Tencent Watchlist.
- Restrictions apply to mobile devices, desktops, and tablets in India.
- MEITY cited complaints of data theft and transfer of user data to servers outside India; PUBG MOBILE had about 175 million downloads in India.
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