Govt directs internet companies to immediately block Chinese apps

"The Ministry of Electronics and & Information Technology has issued directions for blocking 24 apps under the emergency clause 69A of the IT Act 2000, in addition to 35 apps for whose blocking instructions have been issued earlier today itself," a DoT order to internet companies said.

New Delhi:After the ban on 59 apps by Ministry of Electronics and IT for security reasons on Monday ,Department of Telecommunication(DoT) has issued directions for blocking these apps to Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and Telcos late Tuesday. As per sources the names and details of apps were issued in two lists, with first list having 35 names and second list having 24 names of apps to be immediately blocked.

The order has been issued in two sets -- the first set contains list of 35 apps and theother 24 apps based out of China, the sources said.

"Order to block all 59 Chinese apps to internet service providers have been issued now," a telecom ministry source told PTI.

The list has same set of apps as was announced by the government on Monday. It includes name ofTikTok, UC News, UC Browser, Viva Video, Mi Video Call, Bigo Live, Wechat etc.

"The government has issued web link along with IP addresses which will make Internet service providers to easily block the access to Chinese apps," an industry source said.

"The Ministry of Electronics and & Information Technology has issued directions for blocking 24 apps under the emergency clause 69A of the IT Act 2000, in addition to 35 apps for whose blocking instructions have been issued earlier today itself," a DoT order to internet companies said.

India on Monday banned 59 apps with Chinese links, including hugely popular TikTok and UC Browser, saying they were prejudicial to sovereignty, integrity and security of the country.

(With PTI inputs)