India blocks 119 mobile apps, most of them are video and voice chat platforms from China-Hong Kong

New Delhi. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has issued an order to block 119 apps on Google Play Store, most of which are video and voice chat platforms. However, only 15 apps have been removed so far, while the rest are still available for download.

Most of the 119 apps are linked to companies in China and Hong Kong
According to the data released by Google on Harvard University’s Lumen Database, most of these 119 apps are linked to companies in China and Hong Kong. Some of these apps are also linked to Singapore, America, Britain and Australia. It is worth noting that the Lumen database monitors apps and other content kept in the list of removal by governments and other organizations.

Government has the right to block online content
It is believed that these orders have been issued under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act. Under this section, the Center has the right to block online content in the interest of national security, sovereignty or public order.

Action taken earlier too
Earlier also, after the tension between China and India, many Chinese apps were blocked under this section. Three app developers said that they have been informed about this action by Google and they are ready to resolve this issue in collaboration with the Government of India.