India's ban on TikTok likely to cost China-based ByteDance loss of up to $6 billion

As India banned TikTok - an application of Beijing-based Internet techlogy company ByteDance that allowed users to create short videos, and lip-sync, Chinese mouthpiece Global Times quoting sources said that loss to parent company of TikTok — could be as high as $6 billion. At time that TikTok was taken down, it had approximately 370 million users on Play Store, with a large majority of those coming from India. 

In its statement post its ban, TikTok claimed to have democratised Indian Internet, by making its app available in 14 Indian langus, and high value of loss estimated by Chinese mouthpiece is a clear indicator of how important a market India is for TikTok.

"We have been invited to meet concerned government stakeholders for an opportunity to respond and submit clarifications. TikTok continues to comply with all data privacy and security requirements under Indian law and has t shared any information of our users in India with any foreign government, including Chinese government. Furr we are requested to in future we would t do so. We place highest importance on user privacy and integrity," TikTok had added.

Earlier, issuing a statement on apps ban by India, China had said that it violates international trade rms. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said that Beijing is strongly concerned, and is verifying situation. He also added that Indian government has a responsibility to uphold legal rights of international investors including Chinese ones. However, statement reeks of hypocrisy as China is infamous for banning far larger Internet companies from operating on its shores with far less explanation.

READ | PM Modi quits Chinese app Weibo, all posts deleted after India bans 59 apps

Chinese apps banned

In a massive development on Monday night, Home Ministry banned 59 Chinese Apps including TikTok. Centre stated that it has received many complaints from various sources including several reports about misuse of se apps for stealing and surreptitiously transmitting users’ data in an unauthorized manner to servers which have locations outside India. Hence, in a move to protect sovereignty of Indian Cyber and to ensure interests of crores of Indian mobile users, government stated that this was a major blow to China’s Digital Silk Route ambitions. This move comes amid ongoing India-China standoff at Line of Actual Control (LAC).

READ | India to ban Chinese companies from highway projects, says Union Minister Nitin Gadkari

Moreover, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday anunced that India will t allow Chinese companies to participate in highway projects, including those through joint ventures. Gadkari also said government will ensure that Chinese investors are t entertained in various sectors like Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).  Road Transport, Highways and MSME minister said a policy will be out soon banning Chinese firms and relaxing rms for Indian companies to expand ir eligibility criteria for participation in highway projects.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi quits Weibo

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday, quit Twitter-like Weibo account in China. account, which posted messs in Chinese, removed all photos, posts and comments from PM's official handle. Reports state that 10 days ago, China had deleted 'official Indian statements', including PM Modi's speech from Indian embassy’s official account on WeChat - China's popular social media app.

READ | BSNL cancels 4G upgradation tender to bar Chinese companies; govt to decide new rules

PM Modi's Weibo account was set up in 2015 before his first visit to country as Prime Minister. account had  115 posts on Weibo, which had to be deleted manually as Weibo has a complex procedure to quit for VIP accounts. While decision to quit from Weibo was taken immediately, an official process had to be initiated to remove posts. Moreover, two of 115 posts were delayed in removing as it is difficult to remove posts with photo of Chinese President. 

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