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According to Ministry of Home Affairs sources, the Centre is planning to ban 54 Chinese mobile applications that pose a threat to national security.

According to sources, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has identified these applications, which are owned by major Chinese tech companies such as Tencent, Alibaba, and NetEase, and include titles like Sweet Selfie HD, Beauty Camera – Selfie Camera, Equalizer & Bass Booster, Tencent Xriver, and others.

Many of these apps, according to the sources, are refurbished versions of apps that India had prohibited in 2020.

The latest move could be a result of the ongoing tension between India and China over their shared border.

After a total of 270 apps being banned by the government since 2020, this is the first batch of apps to be blacklisted this year.

In June 2020, the MeitY banned 59 Chinese apps, calling them “prejudicial” to India’s sovereignty, integrity, and national security. TikTok, Helo, WeChat, Kwai, Clash of Kings, Alibaba’s UC Browser and UC News, Likee, Bigo Live, Shein, Club Factory, and Cam Scanner were among the apps on the list.

On February 10, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry informed the Rajya Sabha that it had blocked 60 YouTube Channels backed by Pakistan that were spreading false information about the government.

In response to a question about the government’s actions against fake news and propaganda, Dr. L. Murugan, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, told the Upper House that the government has blocked 60 YouTube channels, as well as their social media accounts such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, that were involved in circulating fake news against the Indian government and were backed by Pakistan.

WHICH APPS HAVE BEEN BANNED?

The banned apps include Beauty Camera: Sweet Selfie HD, Beauty Camera – Selfie Camera, Equalizer & Bass Booster, CamCard for SalesForce Ent, Isoland 2: Ashes of Time Lite, Viva Video Editor, Tencent Xriver, Onmyoji Chess, Onmyoji Arena, AppLock and Dual Space Lite.