Indian telecom operators and ISPs (Internet Service Providers) are awaiting instructions from the telecom department to stop access to the 59 banned Chinese apps. This means customers of the telecom service providers – Jio, Airtel, and Vodafone Idea – can still use downloaded apps such as TikTok even on Tuesday morning.
Besides Bytedance’s video-sharing app TikTok, the apps blocked last evening include UC Browser and WeChat. According to the rules, telecom companies and organizations providing internet access, who have telecom licenses, have to be directed by the Department of Telecommunications if access to any application is barred.
However, a quick check shows that the banned apps are not available in Apple’s App store as well as Google Play store. “The government release came on Monday and so far there has been no communication from DoT. We should get informed today or latest by tomorrow and a lot depends on how quickly the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) coordinates with DoT as well,” said a senior industry executive on condition of anonymity.
To recap, the ban has been enforced under Section 69A of the IT Act, 2000 stating that the apps were a threat to India’s security. The authorities also cited complaints about the sensitive and personal data of Indian users being transferred abroad without authorization. TikTok had over 116 million active users in the South Asian nation and the Indian government’s ban on the Chinese video app is likely to cause huge financial losses for the company.
The list of banned apps also includes Weibo, Clash of Kings, Helo, Club Factory, and Shein, among others.