India Bans Chinese Apps – TikTok, WeChat, 57 More

Security Concerns Cited by India – Apps Pose a Threat to the Integrity and Sovereignty of the Nation

India has banned the usage of 59 mobile apps. Popular apps including TikTok, Cam Scanner, and WeChat were banned in a statement by the Indian Government that cited security and privacy concerns.  The statement from the Indian Government says that the apps “harm India’s sovereignty as well as the privacy of our citizens.” The apps are also accused of transmitting user data outside of India.

The Indian Government Ministry of Electronics & IT invoked Section 69A Information Technology Act read with the relevant provisions of the Information Technology (Procedure and Safeguards for Blocking of Access of Information by Public) Rules 2009 that lets the government block services if they’re deemed to be prejudicial to the sovereignty and integrity of the country. The ban applies to both IOS and Android versions of all apps listed below.

The official statement also said that the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-IN)  has received many notices of data breach and privacy concerns.

READ: 13 Signs Your Phone Is Hacked

The country’s IT Ministry said that the apps are “engaged in activities which is prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order.” Usage of any of the apps is now disallowed.

WeChat is a messaging, social media, and mobile payment app owned by Tencent. It has versions for iOS and Android users as well as Mac and Windows apps. The app was released in 2011 and is one of the world’s most popular mobile apps with over 1 billion monthly active users.

Cam Scanner Malware

Cam Scanner, released in 2017, is an iOS and Android mobile app used by students, educators, and business professionals to use a phone’s camera to scan documents. The app lets users convert camera images into pdf documents.

In August 2019, cyber security company Kaspersky Lab found that the Cam Scanner Android app distributed an advertising library containing a Trojan Dropper. The dropper downloaded malware that allowed hackers to remote control devices, show intrusive advertising, or charge for paid subscriptions.

TikTok Banned for US Military

TikTok is a video sharing iOS and Android app that lets users create and post short-form videos. The app was launched in September 20116. It already boasts over 800 million users and is available in 75 languages. TikTok videos are popular for dance but contain everything from cooking tutorials to humor.

On 16 December 2019, the US Defense Department identified TikTok as “having potential security risks associated with its use.”

In mid-December 2019, the US Navy banned soldiers from installing TikTok on any government-owned smartphone. The next week, the US Army also banned the use of TikTok. The US Army started using TikTok and other social media in 2018 for recruiting purposes. Neither service branch ordered soldiers to remove the app from their personal phones but would block any device that had it installed from using the Navy-Marine Corps Intranet.

List of Chinese Apps Banned by India

1. APUS Browser
2. Baidu map
3. Baidu Translate
4. Beauty Plus
5. Bigo Live
6. Cache Cleaner DU App studio
7. Cam Scanner
8. Clash of Kings
9. Clean Master – Cheetah Mobile
10. Club Factory
11. CM Browsers
12. DU battery saver
13. DU Browser
14. DU Cleaner
15. DU Privacy
16. DU Recorder
17. ES File Explorer
18. Hago Play With New Friends
19. Helo
20. Kwai
21. Likee
22. Mail Master
23. Meitu
24. Mi Community
25. Mi Video – Xiaomi
26. Mobile Legends
27. New Video Status
28. Newsdog
29. Parallel Space
30. Photo Wonder
31. QQ International
32. QQ Launcher
33. QQ Mail
34. QQ Music
35. QQ Newsfeed
36. QQ Player
37. QQ Security Center
38. ROMWE
39. SelfieCity
40. Shareit
41. Shein
42. Sweet Selfie
43. TikTok
44. U Video
45. UC Browser
46. UC News
47. V fly Status Video
48. Vault- Hide
49. Vigo Video
50. Virus Cleaner
51. Viva Video – QU Video Inc
52. Vmate
53. We Meet
54. WeChat
55. Weibo
56. WeSync
57. Wonder Camera
58. Xender
59. YouCam makeup

At this time all these apps are still available for download on both Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

Michelle Dvorak

Michelle writes about cyber security, data privacy focusing on social media privacy as well as how to protect your IoT devices. She has worked in internet technology for over 20 years and owns METRONY, LLC. Michelle earned a B.S. in Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Michelle published a guide to Cyber Security for Business Travelers