India has announced a ban on 54 more Chinese apps as a threat to national security.
India has banned 300 Chinese apps since the beginning of border tensions with China. The latest restrictions include ‘Alibaba’, ‘Sweet Selfie HD’, ‘Beauty Camera’, ‘Selfie Camera’, ‘Garena Free Fire’, ‘Illuminati’, ‘Viva Video Editor’, and ‘Tencent X River’.
There are dozens of popular apps, including Onmyoji Arena , AppLock and Dual SpaceLite. The Indian Ministry of Information Technology and Electronics said that these apps collect sensitive user data and this data is misused by transferring it to servers located in enemy country.
Read more: PUBG among 118 Chinese apps banned in India
The company also said that some of these apps can perform spy and surveillance activities through camera/mic by gaining access to GPS. The government said that the apps pose a serious threat to state security and Indian defense by allegedly engaging in activities that undermine the country’s sovereignty and integrity.
Last year, India permanently banned 59 apps, including TikTok and WeChat. According to Indian media, the government had sought details from the companies as to what details they collect from consumers and for what purposes they use them.
Amid tensions along the border with China in Ladakh, the Indian government called the decision a necessary step towards an emergency solution and national security. On June 15, 20 Indian soldiers were killed in a violent clash between the two countries’ forces.
