The move to ban 59 Chinese applications from Google Play and Apple stores comes in backdrop of a violent face off between Indian and Chinese troops near Line of actual Control (LAC) in Ladak's Galwan Valley weeks ago, which resulted in deaths of 20 Indian Soldiers. Indian Government officials earlier had said that the border tensions will not impact trade between India and China, they also have been citizens to be Aatma Nirbhar and shop Vocal for Local. Centre in following days took actions cancelling several contracts with Chinese firms in various sectors like Railway and Telecom.

On Monday June 29, 2020. Indian Government banned 59 Chinese applications which are prejudicial to Sovereignty and integrity to India, Defense of India, Security of the state and public order. The order added  This move will safeguard the interests of crores of Indian mobile and internet users. This decisions is targeted move to ensure safety and sovereignty of Indian cyberspace.

As per research report by USA in year 2015, the term arm conflict does not mean using bomb, bullets, arm forces. Countries like Iran, Russia, North Korea, China , USA are doing cyberWarfare.  CyberWarfare is the use of technology to attack a nation, causing comparable harm to actual welfare. when one state attacks other state with computer based attacks. Cyberwarfare is misnomer, since no offensive cyber actions to date could be described as war. An alternative view of cyberwarfare is a suitable label for cyber attacks which cause physical damage to people and objects in the real world.

On March 20, 2013 , Three south Korean televisions and a bank suffered from frozen computer terminals in a suspected act of cyberwarfare. This cyberattack caused over $750 US Million economic damage. Another incident occurred on June 25th, 2013 there were hacking attacks on Government websites.[1]

On December 23 ,2015 Russia's cyber attack , Hackers were able to successfully compromise information system of three energy distribution companies in Ukraine. It was for temporarily disrupting the electricity supply to consumers. It is considered to be first known successful attack. About 230 thousand people were affected and were left without electricity for period of 1 to 6 hours.[2]

During recent years Cyberwarfare has become more powerful weapon which can activate and deactivate defense system, nuclear system. Cyber warfare is a huge threat to many countries.
Indian government using power given under section 69 A of Information and Technology act [3]and as per rules 2009[4] banned 59 apps. Before taking action Government consulted to Ministry of Electronic and Information Technology, Home Ministry and Cyber Crime Coordinate Centre. On June 29, 2020 ,Monday while banning the applications Government said the security of India is being compromised.

Already in passed many complains have been registered to Ministry of Electronic and Information Technology which stated that the data is used in an unauthorized way and privacy is being infringed. Home Ministry and Cyber Crime Coordinate Centre also gave Indian Government recommendations to ban these applications. Ministry has also received many representations raising concerns from citizen regarding security of data and privacy.

List of 59 applications which are banned

1. TikTok
2. UC Browser
3. Shareit
4. Clash of Kings
5. Likee
6. Shein
7. Kwai
8. YouCam makeup
9. Helo
10. Baidu map
11. DU battery saver
12. Mi Community
13. CM Browers
14. ROMWE
15. APUS Browser
16. Virus Cleaner
17. Club Factory
18. WeChat
19. Beauty Plus
20. Newsdog
21. UC News
22. Xender
23. ES File Explorer
24. QQ Mail
25. QQ Music
26. QQ Newsfeed
27. Bigo Live
28. Parallel Space
29. Mail Master
30. SelfieCity
31. Mi Video Call - Xiaomi
32. WeSync
33. Weibo
34. Viva Video - QU Video Inc
35. Meitu
36. Vigo Video
37. New Video Status
38. DU Recorder
39. Vault- Hide
40. Cache Cleaner DU App studio
41. DU Cleaner
42. DU Browser
43. Hago Play With New Friends
44. CamScanner
45. Sweet Selfie
46. Wonder Camera
47. Photo Wonder
48. DU Privacy
49. We Meet
50. Clean Master - Cheetah Mobile
51. Baidu Translate
52. U Video
53. QQ International
54. QQ Security Center
55. QQ Launcher
56. Vmate
57. V fly Status Video
58. Mobile Legends
59. QQ player

What was common in these 59 apps?

Data mining privacy and National Security was being compromised.

Government with the help of department of telecom who provides internet service will ask to block IP address and access. Over around 30% of Indian population was using Tik Tok. In a day Over 10,000 order are made from Shein India.

End-Notes:

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_South_Korea_cyberattack
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russo-Ukrainian_War#:~:text=The%20Russo%2DUkrainian%20War%20is,regions%20of%
   20Crimea%20and%20Donbass.&text=The%20incursion%20by%20the%20Russian,
   Ukrainian%20forces%20in%20early%20September.
3. https://www.indiacode.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/1999/3/A2000-21.pdf
4. https://meity.gov.in/writereaddata/files/Information%20Technology%20%28%20
   Procedure%20and%20safeguards%20for%20blocking%20for%20access%20
   of%20information%20by%20public%29%20Rules%2C%202009.pdf
   
   

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