118 more Chinese Apps banned including PUBG amid faceoff at LAC; full list here

In a massive development on Wednesday, the Centre banned 118 more Chinese Apps including PUBG amid the prolonged standoff with China at the Line of Actual Control. As per the Union government, they were engaged in activities that are prejudicial to sovereignty, integrity and security of the state. The Information Technology Ministry received numerous complaints regarding misuse of these Apps for stealing and surreptitiously transmitting users’ data in an unauthorized manner to servers located outside India.

It noted with deep concern the compilation of data, its mining and profiling by elements hostile to national security. Mentioning that the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, MHA has sent an exhaustive recommendation to block these malicious Apps, the IT Ministry added that there has been a bipartisan concern by public representatives as well as a strong chorus in the public space to take strict action. The Apps have been banned in both mobile and non-mobile Internet-enabled devices. The Centre exuded confidence that this move will safeguard the interests of crores of Indian mobile and internet users. Recently, the Information and Technology Ministry banned 47 Apps which were variants or clones of the 59 Chinese-linked Apps banned earlier. 

Read: US Takes Note Of India Thwarting China; Sees 'clear Pattern' & Wants Beijing Challenged

Here is the list of banned Apps: 

• APUS Launcher Pro- Theme, Live Wallpapers, Smart
• APUS Launcher -Theme, Call Show, Wallpaper, HideApps
• APUS Security -Antivirus, Phone security, Cleaner
• APUS Turbo Cleaner 2020- Junk Cleaner, Anti-Virus
• APUS Flashlight-Free & Bright
• Cut Cut – Cut Out & Photo Background Editor
• Baidu
• Baidu Express Edition
• FaceU - Inspire your Beauty
• ShareSave by Xiaomi: Latest gadgets, amazing deals
• CamCard - Business Card Reader
• CamCard Business
• CamCard for Salesforce
• CamOCR
• InNote
• VooV Meeting - Tencent Video Conferencing
• Super Clean - Master of Cleaner, Phone Booster
• WeChat reading
• Government WeChat
• Small Q brush
• Tencent Weiyun
• Pitu
• WeChat Work
• Cyber Hunter
• Cyber Hunter Lite
• Knives Out-No rules, just fight!
• Super Mecha Champions
• LifeAfter
• Dawn of Isles
• Ludo World-Ludo Superstar
• Chess Rush
• PUBG MOBILE Nordic Map: Livik
• PUBG MOBILE LITE
• Rise of Kingdoms: Lost Crusade
• Art of Conquest: Dark Horizon
• Dank Tanks
• Warpath
• Game of Sultans
• Gallery Vault - Hide Pictures And Videos
• Smart AppLock (App Protect)
• Message Lock (SMS Lock)-Gallery Vault Developer Team
• Hide App-Hide Application Icon
• AppLock
• AppLock Lite
• Dual Space - Multiple Accounts & App Cloner
• ZAKZAK Pro - Live chat & video chat online
• ZAKZAK LIVE: live-streaming & video chat app
• Music - Mp3 Player
• Music Player - Audio Player & 10 Bands Equalizer
• HD Camera Selfie Beauty Camera
• Cleaner - Phone Booster
• Web Browser & Fast Explorer
• Video Player All Format for Android
• Photo Gallery HD & Editor
• Photo Gallery & Album
• Music Player - Bass Booster - Free Download
• HD Camera - Beauty Cam with Filters & Panorama
• HD Camera Pro & Selfie Camera
• Music Player - MP3 Player & 10 Bands Equalizer
• Gallery HD
• Web Browser - Fast, Privacy & Light Web Explorer
• Web Browser - Secure Explorer
• Music player - Audio Player
• Video Player - All Format HD Video Player
• Lamour Love All Over The World
• Amour- video chat & call all over the world.
• MV Master - Make Your Status Video & Community
• MV Master - Best Video Maker & Photo Video Editor
• APUS Message Center-Intelligent management
• LivU Meet new people & Video chat with strangers
• Carrom Friends : Carrom Board & Pool Game-
• Ludo All Star- Play Online Ludo Game & Board Games
• Bike Racing : Moto Traffic Rider Bike Racing Games
• Rangers Of Oblivion : Online Action MMO RPG Game
• Z Camera - Photo Editor, Beauty Selfie, Collage
• GO SMS Pro - Messenger, Free Themes, Emoji
• U-Dictionary: Oxford Dictionary Free Now Translate
• Ulike - Define your selfie in trendy style
• Tantan - Date For Real
• MICO Chat: New Friends Banaen aur Live Chat karen
• Kitty Live - Live Streaming & Video Live Chat
• Malay Social Dating App to Date & Meet Singles
• Alipay
• AlipayHK
• Mobile Taobao
• Youku
• Road of Kings- Endless Glory
• Sina News
• Netease News
• Penguin FM
• Murderous Pursuits
• Tencent Watchlist (Tencent Technology
• Learn Chinese AI-Super Chinese
• HUYA LIVE – Game Live Stream
• Little Q Album
• Fighting Landlords - Free and happy Fighting Landlords
• Hi Meitu
• Mobile Legends: Pocket
• VPN for TikTok
• VPN for TikTok
• Penguin E-sports Live assistant
• Buy Cars-offer everything you need, special offers and low prices
• iPick
• Beauty Camera Plus - Sweet Camera & Face Selfie
• Parallel Space Lite - Dual App
• "Chief Almighty: First Thunder BC
• MARVEL Super War NetEase Games
• AFK Arena
• Creative Destruction NetEase Games
• Crusaders of Light NetEase Games
• Mafia City Yotta Games
• Onmyoji NetEase Games
• Ride Out Heroes NetEase Games
• Yimeng Jianghu-Chu Liuxiang has been fully upgraded
• Legend: Rising Empire NetEase Games
• Arena of Valor: 5v5 Arena Games
• Soul Hunters
• Rules of Survival

Read: China Factoring India In Nuclear Threat Perception; Set To Double Nuke Stockpile: Pentagon

National outrage against China

20 Army personnel martyred in the violent clash with China at the Line of Actual Control on June 15 led to national outrage. There have been growing calls for drastically altering the economic relationship with China in the wake of this dastardly incident. For instance, the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has launched a nationwide campaign called 'Bharatiya Saaman-Hamara Abhiman' to boycott Chinese products. The Centre has already taken a number of steps against China in the pursuit of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) goal. 

Read: TMC MP Nusrat Jahan Likens TikTok Ban To Demonetisation, Says 'people Will Be Unemployed'

Centre's proactive approach

For instance, India's exit from the RCEP would protect Indian industry from cheap imports and help vulnerable sectors including farmers, dairy sector and MSMEs. In the recent Union Budget, the customs duty has been increased on 89 items such as footwear, toys, furniture and pressure vehicles to curb non-essential imports. Moreover, restrictions have been imposed on 13 items in the last year which includes items imported from China. As per notification dated June 12, import of tyres for bicycles, cars, motorcycles, buses and lorries were restricted. They can be imported only with a license from the DGFT.

Furthermore, FDI coming from China is allowed only through the government route. The average time taken by the DGTR to initiate and complete anti-dumping investigations has come down to 33 and 234 days respectively.  Additionally, the Public Procurement (Make in India) Order was revised to ban the participation of foreign suppliers where the estimated value of the purchase is less than Rs.200 crore. The Reciprocity Clause was invoked against countries which discriminate and restrict Indian companies to participate in their procurements.

Read: RJD Ridicules Banning Of 59 Apps, Asks Centre To Return Chinese Donations In PM CARES Fund