TikTok To Be Banned Permanently In India, Along With 58 Other Chinese Apps

The Indian ministry of electronics and information technology has recently made the ban on TikTok and 58 apps from Chinese developers permanent, as reported by Indian media on Monday.

When the ministry first imposed the ban back in June 2020, the 59 apps were given a chance to explain themselves regarding concerns over security and privacy requirements.

Companies behind some of the popular apps like TikTok’s ByteDance, WeChat’s Tencent Holding, and UC Browser’s Alibaba were also compelled to answer some additional questions.

According to Livemint, a source with insight into the matter said since these companies’ answers and explanations didn’t satisfy the government, these 59 apps were now banned permanently. The news agency also said the new ban notice was issued last week.

In June, explaining the ban, the ministry said the apps had a negative effect on India’s defense, public order, integrity, and sovereignty.

The order was introduced after the border dispute between India and China that resulted in the death of 20 Indian soldiers.

A few months later, in September, another set of 118 apps were banned, including the hugely popular mobile game PUBG.

In an interview with the Economic Times, a representative of TikTok said ByteDance would review the ban and respond as appropriate.

TikTok has not responded to the request for comment.

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