The Indian government has reportedly issued an order to ban 119 mobile applications, primarily video and voice communication platforms linked to China and Hong Kong. According to a report by Moneycontrol, the ban was discovered in a listing on the Lumen database, a platform operated by Harvard University that tracks government and corporate content removal requests.
However, the listing has now been taken down. This move follows a similar crackdown in 2020, when India banned several Chinese apps, including TikTok and ShareIt, citing national security threats. Similar restrictions were also imposed in 2021 and 2022, though on a smaller scale.
Government’s Official Order and Legal Basis
The blocking orders were reportedly issued under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, which grants the government authority to restrict public access to online content in the interest of national security and public order. Officials have stated that orders issued under this section remain confidential, limiting public access to specific details regarding the affected applications.
Many Apps Still Available for Download
Despite the reported ban, a Moneycontrol investigation found that most of these applications are still available for download. As of now, only 15 of the 119 apps have been removed from the Google Play Store. Among the banned apps, only three have been specifically identified in reports. These include:
- ChillChat – A Singapore-based video chat and gaming platform developed by the Mangostar team, with over 1 million downloads and a 4.1-star rating on Google Play Store.
- ChangApp – A Chinese-developed application by Bloom, which has also been targeted under the new ban.
- HoneyCam – An Australian app operated by Shellin Pty Ltd, which features content review mechanisms including automated filtering and manual oversight.
ChillChat Developers Respond to Ban
The developers of the affected applications, including ChillChat, ChangApp, and HoneyCam, have responded to the situation, stating that they were informed of the ban through Google. They have expressed a willingness to collaborate with Indian authorities to address any concerns raised over their platforms. The ChillChat app, with more than one million downloads, emphasized that the ban could significantly impact Indian users who rely on the platform for communication and entertainment.
Lack of Public Disclosure from Authorities
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has yet to release an official statement outlining the security concerns leading to the ban. Furthermore, the details published on the Lumen database on February 18, which initially revealed the blocking order, were later removed, making it unclear when the restrictions will be fully enforced.
This latest ban highlights India’s continued stance on digital security and sovereignty, particularly concerning applications with foreign ties. The developments suggest that more scrutiny on international apps operating in India could follow in the future.