Mukul Rohatgi unwilling to take TikTok as a client; won't represent Chinese company vs GoI

Former Attorney General of India (AG) Mukul Rohatgi has expressed his unwillingness to take on Chinese video-sharing platform TikTok as a client following ban imposed by Centre on 59 China-origin apps. Rohatgi has refused to represent TikTok, citing that he will t represent a Chinese company against Government of India amid ongoing 'tense times'.

Earlier, TikTok, in its first response after ban, had said that it was complying with 'interim order' and that it would meet concerned government stakeholders for an 'opportunity to respond and submit clarifications'.

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TikTok's first response after ban

Government of India took call to ban 59 China-origin apps, including TikTok, UC Browser, ShareIt among or apps following several reports about misuse of some mobile apps available on Android and iOS platforms for "stealing and surreptitiously transmitting users' data in an unauthorised manner to servers which have locations outside India". 

In its statement, TikTok said that it was in process of complying with 'interim order' and that it had been invited to meet govt stakeholders to respond and submit clarifications.  statement furr said that TikTok has democratized internet by making it available in 14 Indian langus, with hundreds of millions of users, artists, storytellers, educators and performers depending on it for ir livelihood, many of whom are first-time internet users.

"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," statement reads.

"Furr we are requested to in future we would t do so. We place highest importance on user privacy and integrity," it added.

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'A matter of very deep and immediate concern' 

ban on Chinese apps comes against backdrop of current stand-off along Line of Actual Control in Ladakh with Chinese troops.  list of apps that have been banned also includes WeChat, Helo, Likee, CamScanner, Vigo Video, Mi Video Call  Xiaomi, Clash of Kings as well as e-commerce platforms Club Factory and Shein.

Information Techlogy Ministry in a statement said it has received many complaints from various sources, including several reports about misuse of some mobile apps available on Android and iOS platforms for "stealing and surreptitiously transmitting users' data in an unauthorised manner to servers which have locations outside India".

" compilation of se data, its mining and profiling by elements hostile to national security and defence of India, which ultimately impinges upon sovereignty and integrity of India, is a matter of very deep and immediate concern which requires emergency measures," statement said.

A formal order asking phone companies to block applications is being issued.  move will "safeguard interests of crores of Indian mobile and internet users. This decision is a targeted move to ensure safety and sovereignty of Indian cyber", IT ministry added. following morning, TikTok went off Play Store.

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