A total of 220 apps now stand blocked in India, including the viral video platform TikTok and popular mobile game PUBG

Another set of 43 mobile applications, mostly of Chinese origin, were banned today by the Indian government in a major blow to China with whom the country is locked in a bitter row along the border. The apps were banned for being ‘prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India.’

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology issued a notice to ban the apps including newly emerging short video app Snack Video and four apps by the Chinese technology and retail giant Alibaba group.

The apps have been banned under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act. The Ministry took to Twitter to inform the public about it and wrote, “Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, GoI (@GoI_MeitY) issued an order today under section 69A of the Information Technology Act blocking access to 43 mobile apps in India.”



“This action was taken based on the inputs regarding these apps for engaging in activities which are prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order,” the ministry said in an official statement.

The IT Ministry issued the order to block access of these apps for the users in India “based on the comprehensive reports received from Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Center, Ministry of Home Affairs,” it said.

A total of 220 apps now stand blocked in India, including the viral video platform TikTok and popular mobile game PUBG.

An order issued on June 29 this year banned 59 Chinese apps under the same section of 69A. The government also banned another set of 118 apps under the section in September saying that it is ‘committed to protect the interests of citizens and sovereignty and integrity of India on all fronts and it shall take all possible steps to ensure that.’

India and China have been engaged in a tense standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh since May this year. The situation took an ugly turn on the night of June 15 when 20 Indian soldiers were killed in action during a violent faceoff with the Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley. There were casualties on the Chinese side too though the country has never revealed the figure.

India immediately took several measures including cancelling contracts with China and banning the apps for countering the Chinese hostility. The banning of the apps was seen as a major counterstrike. The apps which were banned later on included PUBG mobile, an addictive mobile game which was quite popular among youngsters and teenagers.

Given below is the list of apps which have been banned by the government today.

1. AliSuppliers Mobile App

2. Alibaba Workbench

3. AliExpress - Smarter Shopping, Better Living

4. Alipay Cashier

5. Lalamove India - Delivery App

6. Drive with Lalamove India

7. Snack Video

8. CamCard - Business Card Reader

9. CamCard - BCR (Western)

10. Soul- Follow the soul to find you

11. Chinese Social - Free Online Dating Video App & Chat

12. Date in Asia - Dating & Chat For Asian Singles

13. WeDate-Dating App

14. Free dating app-Singol, start your date!

15. Adore App

16. TrulyChinese - Chinese Dating App

17. TrulyAsian - Asian Dating App

18. ChinaLove: dating app for Chinese singles

19. DateMyAge: Chat, Meet, Date Mature Singles Online

20. AsianDate: find Asian singles

21. FlirtWish: chat with singles

22. Guys Only Dating: Gay Chat

23. Tubit: Live Streams

24. WeWorkChina

25. First Love Live- super hot live beauties live online

26. Rela - Lesbian Social Network

27. Cashier Wallet

28. MangoTV

29. MGTV-HunanTV official TV APP

30. WeTV - TV version

31. WeTV - Cdrama, Kdrama&More

32. WeTV Lite

33. Lucky Live-Live Video Streaming App

34. Taobao Live

35. DingTalk

36. Identity V

37. Isoland 2: Ashes of Time

38. BoxStar (Early Access)

39. Heroes Evolved

40. Happy Fish

41. Jellipop Match-Decorate your dream island！

42. Munchkin Match: magic home building

43. Conquista Online II