Chinese spying: Plea in SC seeks probe into Zhenhua Data, ban on China-backed 'loan apps'

With parliament discussing reports of alleged spying by Shenzhen-based techlogy firm Zhenhua Data, Save m India Foundation on Thursday, has filed a writ petition in Supreme Court seeking an inquiry into issue. Reports state that China has alleged spied on 10,000 individuals including India's Prime Minister, President, Judges etc. Naming Union Finance Ministry, Home Ministry and Reserve Bank of India (RBI), petition also seeks an FIR to be registered under Cyber terrorism. plea also seeks a ban on money-lending apps (micro-finance institutions) operated by Chinese Companies.

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Plea in SC seeks probe into Chinese spying

Citing Indian Express' report, plea claims that a Shenzen-based company named Zhenhua Data Information Techlogy Co. Limited has allegedly monitored over 10,000 prominent citizens including President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress interim President Sonia Gandhi, and several Chief Ministers. Zhenhua which works in Chinese intelligence, military, and security ncies has allegedly spied on India's top public servants amid ongoing Indo-China standoff at Line of Actual Control (LAC), cites plea. Warning that this could threaten India's national Security and Integrity, plea seeks an FIR against Chinese company.

Moreover, with boost for 'Digital India' promoted by PM Modi, plea cites that several 'one-' loan apps like — Cash Mama, Cash Papa, Cashe, WiFi Cash, Cash w, Early Salary have t sufficiently disclosed information about who is running se apps. Claiming that 60-70% percent of micro-lending apps available in India are Chinese-owned, plea states that se apps partner with Indian NBFCs, leing to an increase in number of borrowers - (44.8 % of new borrowers during quarter ended  June 2019 were in high-risk categories, as per CIBIL). Claiming that such borrowers are threatened with shaming, arrests, credit blocks, court action, or financial penalties for t making ir repayments on time, plea seeks a ban on such money-lending apps.

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What is govt's response to 'Chinese spying'?

report of alleged Chinese spying was raised in Rajya Sabha's Zero Hour on Wednesday by Congress MP K C Venugopal, asking if government has taken any action in this regard. In response, Union External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar stated that government has taken up issue with Chinese envoy in India - Sun Weidong. He also stated that Chinese have denied ir involvement with 'alleged spying'. 

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" Chinese side conveyed that Shenzen Zhenhua is a private company and h stated its position publicly. In ir part, Chinese Foreign ministry maintained that re was connection between company concerned and Chinese government," said Jaishankar. Jaishankar said government has constituted an expert committee under National Cyber Security Coordinator to study se reports and evaluate ir implications - submitting a report within 30 days.

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