The blocking of these apps means that Indian users will no longer be able to use these apps. Let us tell you that recently TikTok took some of the giants like WhatsApp and Facebook behind in India in terms of popularity amoung youngsters.

The government invoked power under section 69A of the Information Technology Act (Procedure and Safeguards for Blocking of Access of Information by Public) Rules 2009 to block the apps, the Ministry of Information Technology said in a press statement on Monday evening.

This comes as the two south Asian nations are embroiled in a border standoff that killed 20 Indian and an unknown number of Chinese soldiers earlier this month. India is already planning to impose stringent quality control measures and higher tariffs on imports from China, according to a Bloomberg report.

The government cited concerns on data security and safeguarding the privacy of 130 crore Indians. The ministry said it has received complaints about some mobile apps available on Android and iOS platforms allegedly stealing and surreptitiously transmitting user data in an unauthorised manner to servers outside India.

The ministry said the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, Ministry of Home Affairs has also sent an exhaustive recommendation for blocking these malicious apps. Besides, the Computer Emergency Response Team also received representations from citizens regarding security of data and breach of privacy impacting upon public order issues.

“There has been a strong chorus in the public space to take strict action against apps that harm India’s sovereignty as well as the privacy of our citizens.”

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