India directs Apple, Google to remove seven Chinese-origin apps from stores
The Indian government has directed technology giants Apple and Google to remove seven Chinese-origin applications from their respective app stores. The directive, issued under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, cites threats to national security and public order as the basis for the ban.
The move comes amid ongoing tensions between India and China following border clashes in the Galwan Valley in June 2020. Since then, New Delhi has progressively banned over 200 Chinese apps, including popular platforms like TikTok and UC Browser, citing data privacy and sovereignty concerns.
Officials from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology confirmed that the latest orders target apps that were previously banned but had remained available for download through alternative means. The seven apps include categories such as video editing, file sharing, and social networking, though the specific names have not been officially disclosed.
Apple and Google have been asked to comply with the directive within a stipulated timeframe. Both companies have historically adhered to Indian government orders regarding app removals. In previous instances, Apple removed apps like TikTok from its Indian store after similar directives.
The government maintains that the action is necessary to safeguard the interests of Indian users and prevent any potential misuse of data by entities linked to adversarial nations. Critics, however, argue that the ban could stifle free trade and innovation, and may lead to a fragmented digital ecosystem.
Legal experts note that Section 69A provides the government broad powers to block public access to any information in the interest of sovereignty, security, or public order. The provision has been upheld by the Supreme Court in previous challenges.
This development adds to the growing list of regulatory actions against Chinese technology firms operating in India. It also underscores the increasing scrutiny on data localization and cross-border data flows, as India pushes for greater digital self-reliance.
