New Delhi, NFAPost: According to a media report, the government has started to ban and block 138 betting apps and 94 loan lending apps with Chinese links.
The communication to ban and block the 234 mobile apps on an “urgent” and “emergency” basis was issued to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeiTY) by the Home Ministry over alleged security concerns.
The analysis of 288 Chinese loan apps was started by the Union Home Ministry six months ago but found that 94 apps are available on e-stores and that others are working through third-party links. Few apps were also accepting cryptocurrencies as a mode of payment.
The recent development took place after the government found that the apps “prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order” under section 69A of the Information Technology Act.
According to sources privy to the development, many complaints like extortion and harassment against money lending or loan-taking apps which are backed by China. The matter becomes severe after a spate of suicides particularly in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana by people who had taken loans or lost money to betting apps was reported.
The State Governments of Telangana, Odisha and Uttar Pradesh along with central intelligence agencies had requested the Central Government to look into the matter and take necessary steps against the apps.
Many of the apps on the list are no longer available to download on smartphones but it might be possible to download them through their independent websites though if history is anything to go by, very soon, they might become inaccessible from an IP level as telcos move to block them.
