Apple, Google comply with Indian government order to ban Chinese apps

Apple and Google are complying with a new Indian government order to block apps developed by Chinese firms.

Two days after New Delhi's order was implemented, the two Silicon Valley giants began to prevent users in India from seeing the 59 blocked apps on the App Store or Google Play store.

While Google told TechCrunch that it was "temporarily" blocking access to the apps, Apple did not respond to a request for comment.

On Monday, the Indian government said it would ban the 59 apps on concerns that they were engaging in activities that threatened the "national security and defense of India." More specifically, it appears those concerns center around "security and data and breach of privacy" related to data mining and profiling.

The list of apps is extensive, but includes TikTok, WeChat and Xiaomi's Mi Community, among others. TikTok reportedly blocked access to their app voluntarily after the order was given.

Tensions have been rising between India and China in recent weeks after a skirmish on disputed Himalayan border territory left 20 Indian soldiers dead. A report earlier on Thursday indicated that the instability in the region is impacting Apple's supply chain.

As one of the largest smartphone markets in the world, India has increasingly become a critical market for Apple and other tech companies. In 2020, Apple is planning to boost both its manufacturing and retail footprint in the country.

10 Comments

seanismorris 8 Years · 1624 comments

About 4 years ago

Sorry India. I recommend deescalation. We’ve seen this show before, and India got their a$$ kicked.

Besides India’s problem is with China, not Chinese companies. This move comes across as weak and petty.

“China, you’ve violated our nations territory. So, we’ll no longer watch humorous videos on TikTok!” Wait... what?

chasm 10 Years · 3626 comments

seanismorris said:

Sorry India. I recommend deescalation. We’ve seen this show before, and India got their a$$ kicked.

Besides India’s problem is with China, not Chinese companies. This move comes across as weak and petty.

“China, you’ve violated our nations territory. So, we’ll no longer watch humorous videos on TikTok!” Wait... what?

You'll note they didn't ban all Chinese apps (because then the App Store would be pretty threadbare), only 59 of them -- which collect a lot of data that likely finds its way to the Chinese government. Same reasoning behind the USA's ban of nearly anything to do with Huawei. Seems like a prudent move to me, and frankly the entire world could do with less TikTok -- that thing's a data and privacy sieve.

Edit: 2000th post!

bulk001 16 Years · 795 comments

@chasm Congrats on your 2,000rh post! And a well reasoned one at that! While I am not a big fan of much of our US foreign policy, I am really supportive of a much stronger political response to China.

anantksundaram 18 Years · 20391 comments

seanismorris said:

Besides India’s problem is with China, not Chinese companies.

That is the funniest thing I've heard all day.

I am sure the Huawei lady thanks you mightily for your brilliant idea for her extradition defense.