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India makes ban on TikTok, WeChat, 57 other Chinese apps permanent

  • When it first imposed the ban, the Indian government gave the 59 apps a chance to explain their position on privacy and security compliance
  • New Delhi made the ban permanent as it was ‘not satisfied’ with the companies’ response, a source told domestic media

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India first imposed the ban on TikTok and 58 other Chinese apps in June. Photo: DPA
India’s ministry of electronics and information technology has issued fresh notices to make permanent a ban imposed on video app TikTok and 58 other Chinese apps in June, Indian media reported late on Monday.
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When it first imposed the ban, the Indian government gave the 59 apps a chance to explain their position on compliance with privacy and security requirements, The Times of India reported.

The companies, which include ByteDance’s popular video-sharing app TikTok and Tencent HoldingsWeChat, were also asked to respond to a list of questions, the newspaper said.
Tencent Holdings’ WeChat is among the apps that have been permanently banned by India. Photo: Shutterstock
Tencent Holdings’ WeChat is among the apps that have been permanently banned by India. Photo: Shutterstock

“The government is not satisfied with the response/explanation given by these companies. Hence, the ban for these 59 apps is permanent now,” business newspaper Livemint quoted a source familiar with the notices as saying. It said the notices were issued last week.

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The ministry’s June order stated that the apps were “prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order”.

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