Indian Government Bans PUBG And 117 Other Chinese Apps

The Ministry of Information and Technology on Wednesday banned more 118 Chinese apps including the worldwide popular game PUBG. This strict decision is taken by the Indian government to protect the integrity and sovereignty of the country, security of public and state order, and defense of India. The decision is taken under Section 69 of the Information Technology Act. 

According to a statement made by one of the government officials, the blocked apps include Baidu, Tencent Watchlist, WeChat Reading, FaceU, Alipay, Ludo All-Star, and PUBG Mobile Lite and PUBG Mobile. 

The order is passed by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology under section 69A of the Information Technology Act. The blocked apps are found to be involved in activities that threaten the integrity and sovereignty of India, the security of public and state order, and defense of India.  

The Ministry has said in a press release that they have received several complaints from different sources about the wrong use of certain apps on iOS and Android platforms. According to reports, the blocked apps are found to steal and illegally transmit user data to servers located outside the country. 

The stealing and transmission of these user data pose a threat to the defense and national security of India. This makes it a matter of immediate concern that needs emergency measures. The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre has also requested to ban these apps. The same concern has been flagged by many of the members inside and outside the parliament as well. 

There has been a strong appeal to take emergency steps against these apps that threatens the sovereignty and privacy of the country and its citizens. Based on numerous complaints received by the ministry, the government decided against banning these apps. 

The use of these apps raises serious concerns as they have been to collect and share data in an authorised manner. The compromise of personal and user data can have a serious impact on the security of the country. Keeping each of these points in mind, the Indian government decided to ban the usage of these apps in both non-mobile and mobile devices.

Also, see: Top 9 Must Have Apps for Android

The ministry said that with this decision, the government plans to protect the interests of millions of Indian users. This particular decision is aimed to ensure security, safety, and sovereignty of the country’s cyberspace. This decision was passed by the government at a time when the Chinese army allegedly made an unlawful attempt near the southern bank of Pangong Tso. 

Here is the complete list of 118 apps that have been banned by the Indian government:

• APUS Launcher Pro- Theme, Live Wallpapers, Smart
• APUS Turbo Cleaner 2024- Junk Cleaner, Anti-Virus
• APUS Flashlight-Free & Bright
• Baidu Express Edition
• PUBG MOBILE Nordic Map: Livik
• PUBG MOBILE LITE
• Rise of Kingdoms: Lost Crusade
• FaceU – Inspire your Beauty
• ShareSave by Xiaomi: Latest gadgets, amazing deals
• Cut Cut – Cut Out & Photo Background Editor
• Baidu
• APUS Launcher-Theme, Call Show, Wallpaper, HideApps
• APUS Security -Antivirus, Phone Security, Cleaner
• CamOCR
• InNote
• VooV Meeting – Tencent Video Conferencing
• CamCard Business
• CamCard for Salesforce
• Government WeChat
• Small Q brush
• Tencent Weiyun
• Pitu
• Super Clean – Master of Cleaner, Phone Booster
• WeChat reading
• CamCard – Business Card Reader
• WeChat Work
• LifeAfter
• Dawn of Isles
• Ludo World-Ludo Superstar
• Chess Rush
• Cyber Hunter
• Cyber Hunter Lite
• Knives Out-No rules, just fight!
• Super Mecha Champions
• Art of Conquest: Dark Horizon
• Dank Tanks
• Warpath
• Game of Sultans
• Gallery Vault – Hide Pictures And Videos
• Smart AppLock (App Protect)
• Message Lock (SMS Lock)-Gallery Vault Developer Team
• Hide App-Hide Application Icon
• AppLock
• AppLock Lite
• Dual Space – Multiple Accounts & App Cloner
• Video Player All Format for Android
• Photo Gallery HD & Editor
• Photo Gallery & Album
• Music – Mp3 Player
• Music Player – Audio Player & 10 Bands Equalizer
• HD Camera Selfie Beauty Camera
• Cleaner – Phone Booster
• Web Browser & Fast Explorer
• ZAKZAK Pro – Live chat & video chat online
• ZAKZAK LIVE: live-streaming & video chat app
• Music Player – Bass Booster – Free Download
• HD Camera – Beauty Cam with Filters & Panorama
• HD Camera Pro & Selfie Camera
• Music Player – MP3 Player & 10 Bands Equalizer
• Gallery HD
• Web Browser – Fast, Privacy & Light Web Explorer
• Web Browser – Secure Explorer
• Music Player – Audio Player
• Video Player – All Format HD Video Player
• Lamour Love All Over The World
• Amour- video chat & call all over the world.
• Carrom Friends: Carrom Board & Pool Game
• Creative Destruction NetEase Games
• Ludo All-Star- Play Online Ludo Game & Board Games
• Bike Racing: Moto Traffic Rider Bike Racing Games
• Rangers Of Oblivion: Online Action MMO RPG Game
• Z Camera – Photo Editor, Beauty Selfie, Collage
• GO SMS Pro – Messenger, Free Themes, Emoji
• U-Dictionary: Oxford Dictionary Free Now Translate
• Ulike – Define your selfie in trendy style
• Tantan – Date For Real
• MICO Chat: New Friends Banaen aur Live Chat karen
• Kitty Live – Live Streaming & Video Live Chat
• Malay Social Dating App to Date & Meet Singles
• Alipay
• Crusaders of Light NetEase Games
• Mafia City Yotta Games
• Youku
• Road of Kings- Endless Glory
• Sina News
• Netease News
• Penguin FM
• Onmyoji NetEase Games
• AlipayHK
• Mobile Taobao
• MV Master – Make Your Status Video & Community
• MV Master – Best Video Maker & Photo Video Editor
• APUS Message Center-Intelligent management
• LivU Meet new people & Video chat with strangers
• Murderous Pursuits
• Tencent Watchlist (Tencent Technology
• Learn Chinese AI-Super Chinese
• HUYA LIVE – Game Live Stream
• Little Q Album
• Fighting Landlords – Free and happy Fighting Landlords
• Hi Meitu
• Mobile Legends: Pocket
• VPN for TikTok
• VPN for TikTok
• Penguin E-sports Live assistant
• Buy Cars-offer everything you need, special offers and low prices
• iPick
• Beauty Camera Plus – Sweet Camera & Face Selfie
• Parallel Space Lite – Dual App
• “Chief Almighty: First Thunder BC
• Arena of Valor: 5v5 Arena Games
• Soul Hunters
• Rules of Survival
• MARVEL Super War NetEase Games
• AFK Arena
• Ride Out Heroes NetEase Games
• Yimeng Jianghu-Chu Liuxiang has been fully upgraded
• Legend: Rising Empire NetEase Games

Previously, in June, the Indian government had banned 59 Chinese apps including the popular short video sharing app, Tik Tok. The list also included other popular apps like Baidu Map, UC Browser, Baidu Translate, and Weibo. These apps were too banned for the same reason as the 118 apps. All these apps are a threat to the integrity, sovereignty, and security of India.

Here is the list of 59 apps that were banned by the Indian government previously:

• TikTok
• Shein
• Clash of Kings
• DU battery saver
• Newsdog
• Beauty Plus
• WeChat
• UC News
• QQ Mail
• Weibo
• Xender
• QQ Music
• QQ Newsfeed
• Bigo Live
• SelfieCity
• Viva Video – QU Video Inc
• Meitu
• Vigo Video
• New Video Status
• DU Recorder
• Vault-Hide
• Cache Cleaner DU App studio
• DU Cleaner
• DU Browser
• Hago Play With New Friends
• Cam Scanner
• Wonder Camera
• Photo Wonder
• QQ Player
• We Meet
• Sweet Selfie
• Baidu Translate
• Vmate
• QQ International
• QQ Security Center
• QQ Launcher
• U Video
• V fly Status Video
• Mobile Legends
• DU Privacy
• Clean Master – Cheetah Mobile
• Mail Master
• Parallel Space
• Mi Video Call – Xiaomi
• WeSync
• ES File Explorer
• Helo
• Virus Cleaner
• APUS Browser
• ROMWE
• Club Factory
• Shareit
• Likee
• YouCam makeup
• Mi Community
• CM Browser
• Kwai
• UC Browser
• Baidu map

Till now the government has banned a total of 177 Chinese apps in the country. App developers in India are working fast to come up with the best alternatives for all these apps. Stay tuned to our website to find alternatives of each app.