With the ongoing border dispute between India and China, the government of India has taken up a significant step. It has decided to hit China where it hurts, its economy! Initially, India had created an application called “Remove China Apps”. It was banned from Google Play Store in a day.
Now, the Indian government has issued an interim order to straightaway ban 59 Chinese applications. These Chinese apps include TikTok, Shareit, UC Browser, Mi Community, Mobile Legends, CamScanner, Mi Video Call, Weibo, and more.
The decision to ban these 59 Chinese apps was taken on Monday under section 69A. Invoking this act of Information Technology, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology termed the use of these apps as “prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defense of India, security of state and public order”.
It is about time that these sneaky Chinese apps are taken down from the distribution platforms to reduce the new downloads. The best part is, even though the applications were taken down, there are alternatives to these applications. The alternatives are not of Chinese origin.
If the users are already using the banned Chinese apps, their access to the server will be blacklisted by the internet service providers. Now, in the list of the banned applications, there are certain applications that don’t require internet access to work.
There are certain apps like Helo, which come preloaded on smartphones. It is still to be seen on how the government is planning to impose a ban on the use of those Chinese apps.
In the following section of our blog, we are going to list the banned Chinese apps categorically and also provide their alternatives.
All the Banned Chinese apps and their alternatives versions
| Category | Chinese Apps | Alternatives |
| Social Media Apps | TikTok | Instagram TV, Snapchat, YouTube, Mitron, Dubsmash |
| Helo | Instagram TV, Snapchat, YouTube | |
| Likee | Instagram TV, Snapchat, YouTube | |
| Kwai | Instagram TV, Snapchat, YouTube | |
| Redditt, Twitter | ||
| File Transfer Apps | Shareit | Google Files Go, Send Anywhere, Google Drive, Dropbox |
| Xender | Google Files Go | |
| Gaming Apps | Clash of Kings | Ludo King |
| Hago play with new friends | Ludo King, Houseparty | |
| Mobile Legends | Ludo King, Fortnite Battle Royale, Legends of Legends, PUBG | |
| Utility Apps | YouCam Makeup | SnapChat, G Cam, Open Camera |
| Mi Community | ||
| Beauty Plus | Snapchat, G Cam, Open Camera | |
| SelfieCity | Snapchat, G Cam, Open Camera | |
| Parallel Space | Dual Apps, Multiple App Cloner | |
| WeSync | Google Files Go | |
| ES File Explorer | Google Files Go | |
| DU Recorder | AZ Screen Recorder | |
| Cam Scanner | Microsoft Offline Lens, Adobe Scan, Photo Scan, Tap Scanner | |
| Baidu Translate | Google translate, Microsoft Translate, Hi Translate | |
| QQ Launcher | Microsoft Launcher | |
| DU Battery Saver | Battery Saver & Charge Optimizer | |
| Video Sharing Apps | Bigo Live | Instagram TV, YouTube, Snapchat |
| Viva Video – QU Video Inc | Instagram IGTV, YouTube, Snapchat | |
| Vigo Video | Snapchat, Open Camera, G Cam | |
| New Video Status | Snapchat, Open Camera, G Cam | |
| Vmate | Instagram TV, YouTube, Snapchat | |
| U Video | Instagram TV, YouTube, Snapchat | |
| V Fly Status Video | Instagram TV, YouTube, Snapchat | |
| Browsing Apps | DU browser | Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox |
| UC Browser | Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Opera Mini | |
| CM browser | Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox | |
| Apus Browser | Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox | |
| News Apps | Newsdog | InShorts, Google News, Apple News |
| UC News | InShorts, Google News, Apple News | |
| QQ News Feed | Google News, InShorts, Flipboard | |
| Shopping Apps | Shein | Myntra, Snapdeal, FLipkart, Amazon |
| ROMWE | Myntra, Snapdeal, FLipkart | |
| Club Factory | Myntra, Snapdeal, FLipkart | |
| Camera Apps | Meitu | Snapchat, Open Camera, G Cam, B612 Beauty & Filter Camera |
| Wonder Camera | Snapchat, Open Camera, G Cam | |
| Photo Wonder | Snapchat, Open Camera, G Cam | |
| Sweet Selfie | Snapchat, Open Camera, G Cam | |
| Instant Messaging Apps | Telegram, Hike, WhatsApp | |
| QQ international | Telegram, Hike, WhatsApp | |
| Social Apps | We Meet | Tinder |
| Audio Apps | QQ Music | VLC Media player, MX Player |
| Email Client Apps | QQ Mail | Outlook |
| Mail Master | Outlook |
This is the list of Chinese apps that have been banned in India and their alternatives. However, there are certain applications where the alternatives are not available as of yet. These applications are a few utility applications.
They are DU Privacy, QQ Security Center, Clean Master – Cheetah Mobile, DU Browser, DU Cleaner, and Virus Cleaner. Along with these, all the above mentioned applications are bloat ware. Your smartphone or any other device is better off any such applications to ensure the safety and proper operational condition.
Here is an official tweet from Team Tiktok India.
— TikTok India (@TikTok_IN) June 30, 2020
Some additional information on banning Chinese apps
- According to the inputs from the intelligence agencies, the Chinese apps are used either in the form of spyware or malware. These applications are in clear violation of the terms of use and they compromise the user’s privacy.
- Among the above mentioned applications, TikTok has been taken down from both Google Play Store and App Store. Other apps will be removed from the App Store as well. The Government of India also mentioned that the apps transmitted data of Indian users without any authorisation.
- This move might shatter China’s Digital Silk Route ambitions and reduce the valuation of the companies. Chances are, India’s lead will influence other countries to follow the same steps and ban these apps.
- From a tactical perspective, it will put significant economic pressure on China because the apps are heavily reliant on the Indian market. From a legal perspective, it is important because national security is imperative for every country. It is difficult to challenge in the court.
- According to a government official, the GOI had considered all the aspects before taking any decision. The applications had been there for a long time and there were some security issues. This included the chances of data going out of the country.
- InMobi, the ad tech company which owns Roposo, is also a video app which competes with TikTok. The company officials stated that this is a welcome move that would open up the market for its platform. ShareChat, the Indian social network also welcomed the government’s move.
- Under such circumstances, it remains to be seen whether Indian apps will fulfill the requirements or the American apps will take on the market share. Investors in Indian social apps say that the competition will come down because of the ban on Chinese apps.
Since these Chinese apps are banned from Play Store and App Store, the users should remove them from their devices. What are your thoughts on this? Get in touch with Skyram Technologies and share your opinions.
