TMC MP Nusrat Jahan likens TikTok ban to demonetisation, says 'people will be unemployed'

On Wednesday, TMC Lok Sabha MP Nusrat Jahan slammed Centre for imposing a ban on Chinese video-sharing social networking App TikTok. Mentioning that TikTok is an "entertainment" App, she termed ban as an "impulsive decision". Claiming that unemployment will increase due to this, she alleged that people would suffer like demonetisation. Maintaining that she did t have an issue with ban as it is for safeguarding national security, Jahan urged Union government to disclose strategic plan to deal with China. 

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59 Chinese Apps banned

Amid tensions with China at LAC,  Ministry of Information Techlogy on Monday invoked its power under Section 69A of Information Techlogy Act read with relevant provisions of Information Techlogy (Procedure and Safeguards for Blocking of Access of Information by Public) Rules 2009 to ban TikTok and 58 or Chinese Apps. This includes Shareit, Kwai, UC Browser, Baidu map, Shein, Clash of Kings, DU battery saver, Helo, Likee, YouCam makeup, Mi Community, CM Browers, We Chat, UC Browser, Virus Cleaner, DU Cleaner etc. According to Union government, this was a targeted move to ensure safety and sovereignty of Indian cyber.

Revealing that Ministry of Information Techlogy had received many complaints of some Apps stealing and transmitting user data to servers located outside India, Centre stated that this was a matter of deep concern that required emergency measures. Moreover, re had been a strong chorus in public to take strict action against Apps which harm country's sovereignty and privacy of citizens. se Apps will be barred for us in mobile and n-mobile internet-enabled devices.

Read: Chingari Founder Eyes 'million Downloads Per Hour' As Indian App Emerges TikTok Alternate

TikTok issues statement

In a statement, TikTok India head Nikhil Gandhi observed that ir representatives had been invited by government stakeholders for an opportunity to respond and submit clarifications. He stressed that TikTok continued to comply with all data privacy and security requirements under Indian law and had t shared information about Indian users with Chinese government. Gandhi added that App places highest importance on user privacy and integrity. statement furr said that TikTok had "democratised" internet by making it available in 14 Indian langus with "hundreds of millions of users" depending on it for ir livelihood. 

Read: US Designates Huawei & ZTE As National Security Threat, Cites Link To China's Ruling Party

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