KEY TAKEAWAYS

The Indian government has initiated the ban of 119 applications, primarily targeting video and voice chat services.

So far, 15 out of the identified 119 apps have been prohibited.

Some banned applications are also based in countries like Singapore, the US, the UK, and Australia.

Back in 2020, the Indian government took significant steps by banning numerous Chinese applications, such as TikTok and Shein, citing national security interests. Recently, it has ordered the prohibition of an additional 119 apps, which mainly include video and voice chat platforms linked to developers from China and Hong Kong. This order falls under the purview of Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, which empowers the government to restrict access to online services considered detrimental to national security and public order. This information was initially made available through Google’s disclosure on the Lumen Database, a platform that tracks government requests for content removals.

Currently, 15 of the targeted 119 applications have already been blocked from usage, while the rest remain accessible for download. Among the affected applications are several that have origins outside of China, including those from Singapore, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. This action suggests that the regulatory scrutiny is extending beyond solely Chinese applications and is establishing a broader approach to app governance.

The affected app developers have voiced significant concerns regarding the lack of transparency surrounding this governmental decision. For instance, ChillChat, a Singapore-based application boasting over 1 million downloads, has acknowledged receiving a notification from Google concerning a potential ban. A spokesperson for ChillChat commented that such a ban could damage user relations and erode trust in its services.

Additionally, the app Blom, created by the China-based ChangApp, expressed apprehension over the ambiguity surrounding Google’s guidance amidst the ban. The developers of Blom fear that the prohibition could tremendously hinder their growth trajectory and operational viability in India.

On the other hand, the HoneyCam app, developed by the Australian company Shellin PTY Ltd, has reaffirmed its commitment to adhering to India’s regulatory framework. Shellin PTY Ltd mentioned that it possesses a content review mechanism and is prepared to collaborate with Indian authorities to ensure full compliance with local regulations.

Nonetheless, it is important to note that the information released by Google on Lumen has since been removed, leading to a lack of clarity regarding the timeline for enforcing the complete ban on the remaining apps. The situation is becoming increasingly uncertain as the public and developers await specifics on when the rest of these applications will be pulled from circulation.