BAN ON CHINESE APPS IN INDIA
- India vs China
Whenever we talk about the foreign policy of India, the relations of India with China and Pakistan take the first place in our mind. We hear news from time to time about the MoUs and deals regarding the trade with these nations. But besides that, the Indo-China relations are always been in the headlines due to the territorial disputes.
- The Ban
On 29th June 2020, India banned 59 Chinese Applications including the famous TikTok app citing threat to national security & the privacy of Indian citizens under section 69a of IT Act, 2020. The government issued an explanation that these apps are illegally exporting data to locations outside India. It didn’t mention the relation of apps with China, but these apps are mostly of Chinese origin or have a major part of investments from Chinese companies.
REASONS FOR THE BAN
- Data Security
India's Ministry of Information Technology has said the ban was the result of "many complaints from various sources" about apps that were "stealing and transmitting users' data in an unauthorised manner". Many of the Chinese apps have been linked to controversies over data privacy, and have been accused of sharing sensitive information with the Chinese government. US senators have even called for an investigation into TikTok, which fiercely rejects such claims.
- China's National Intelligence law
China’s National Intelligence Law mandates and incentivizes private companies to work with national intelligence agencies and share information with them. This means that the data collected by the Chinese apps from their potential users can be accessible to the Chinese Government. There have also been several evidences that the data we casually copy on the clip-board, like maybe your bank OTP or any phone number or personal information is accessible and readable by these apps. The leak of such sensitive information can possess a major threat to the users of these apps as well as to our country.
- Not the first time
This isn't the first time Chinese apps have been banned in India. In 2017, Alibaba's UC Browser came under scrutiny for allegedly leaking mobile data of Indian users. And that year, India's defense ministry asked all armed personnel and officers to uninstall 42 Chinese apps, classifying them as "spyware". Some, however, believe that the timing of the ban is not coincidental, but rather a response to the events at the border.
- WTO
The officials brushed aside Beijing’s contentions and its veiled threat to drag India to the World Trade Organization (WTO) over New Delhi’s Monday’s (June 29) decision to ban 59 mostly Chinese mobile applications such as TikTok, UC Browser and WeChat, citing concerns that these are “prejudicial to sovereignty of India, defense of India, security of state and public order”. But India has no agreement on this matter with China. Thus, India can defend [it] easily under the clause of national security interest and sovereignty of the country.
IMPACT OF THE BAN
- Popularity of the apps in India
India is TikTok's biggest foreign market, with an estimated 120 million active users. TikTok allows users to publish and share short videos. In the years since it has launched in India, the app has become a platform for Indians of all ages and classes. The app has turned many ordinary Indians into social media stars. "The thousands of TikTok influencers who were making a living off the platform and the many Indian traders and businessmen who need to connect to people in China and do that over WeChat have been negatively impacted."
- Response from the apps
TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, told the BBC, it is "committed to working with the [Indian] government to demonstrate their dedication to user security and their commitment to the country overall. Nikhil Gandhi, TikTok's India head, said on Twitter that the company had been invited to meet "concerned government stakeholders for an opportunity to respond and submit clarifications." Other app makers are yet to respond to the ban. Experts say that most of these firms will try to lobby policy makers but they are not likely to be allowed as long as tensions continue at the border and anti-China sentiments remain high in the country.
- Impact on China
China is India’s largest trade partner after the US and our dependence on China extends well beyond the tech space. The app ban will certainly have an impact on the holding companies. For example, when it comes to TikTok, 30% of total installations come from India and this naturally harms its parent company ByteDance. The impact on China’s economy overall is difficult to predict at this stage, but will of course be negative.
- Boycott China
A boycott campaign was given a visible boost when prominent educator and innovator Sonam Wangchuk took to social media to urge Indians that it was their responsibility as citizens to “use their wallet power” and leave a negative impact on Chinese imports. The ban will add fuel to the Boycott China campaign, which is intensifying due to the coronavirus pandemic and also because of China’s aggression at Galwan valley.
