Centre asks telecom operators, internet service providers to block access to 59 Chinese apps

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has directed telecom operators and internet service providers to block access to all the 59 Chinese apps banned by the government with immediate effect, sources said.

The DoT has asked all the service players to comply with the order and submit compliance reports.

The development comes after the Centre Monday banned 59 Chinese apps including TikTok, WeChat and UC Browser and Xiaomi's Mi Community over national security concerns as India-China bilateral relations remain strained after the death of 20 Indian soldiers in the Galwan Valley clash with Chinese PLA troops in eastern Ladakh.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) issued a list of 59 Chinese apps that are now banned in the country.

The ministry said that the step has been taken "since there is credible information that these apps are engaged in activities which are prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order."

Chinese short-video making app TikTok Tuesday said it is in the process of complying with the Indian government order to ban 59 Chinese apps.

“The government of India has issued an interim order for the blocking of 59 apps, including TikTok and we are in the process of complying with it,” Nikhil Gandhi, Head of TikTok India, said in a statement, adding that the company has been invited to meet with concerned government stakeholders for an opportunity to respond and submit clarifications.

TikTok had nearly 119 million active users in India and was among the top 10 apps on Google Play store and Apple App store.

However, other banned apps like Alibaba Group's UC Browser and UC News, Xiaomi's Mi community, Tencent-owned WeChat, e-commerce platform Club Factory and document scanning app CamScanner were still available on the platforms for download.

Users who have the TikTok or Helo app on their mobile phone can still use them..