'Making sense': Not a user of any of the banned 59 Chinese apps; Syed Akbaruddin responds

Centre on Monday banned 59 apps with Chinese links, including TikTok and UC Browser, saying y were prejudicial to sovereignty, integrity and security of country. India's former Permanent Representative to UN Syed Akbaruddin reacting to decision said that he does t use any of Apps listed by IT Ministry, so he was "trying to make sense" of ir importance.

'I was trying to make sense'

former diplomat shared a chart by Matt Sheehan of think tank MacroPolo of top 10 n-gaming apps downloaded in India. Akbaruddin said that chart helped "clarify situation." chart shows that out of top 10 apps, six were of Chinese origin. Those apps were TikTok, Likee, Helo, SHAREit, UC Browser and VMate.

Currently, TikTok app has been removed from Apple's App Store and Google Play Store.

'A matter of very deep and immediate concern' 

ban on Chinese apps comes in 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.

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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".

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" 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.

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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.

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(with PTI inputs)