New Delhi: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology banned 59 Chinese apps in India on Monday. On Tuesday, the IT ministry issued orders to Google and Apple to ban applications from their stores due to security concerns. As per sources, the Internet Service Providers (ISPs) are yet to receive orders regarding the ban of these apps. Google and Apple have removed these apps from their stores so no new downloads can take place and those who have already installed these apps will not receive updates. Ministry is likely to ask ISPs to block access to these platforms.
The decision to ban is taken by Electronics and IT ministry but as per rules Telcos and ISPs with licences will be told by Dept of Telecommunication (DoT) if any access to app or website is banned.
The decision as per sources is executed by Information Technology Ministry's Indian Computer Emergency Response Team but before the official announcement, a high-level meeting took place which was attended by senior officials and at least three Union Ministers.
The ban has been imposed under section 69A of Information Technology Act, 2000 which provide "Power to issue directions for blocking for public access of any information through any computer resource".
The act says "where the central government or any of its officers specially authorised by it... is satisfied that it is necessary for expedient to do so, in the interest of sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, the security of the state, friendly relations with foreign states or public order for preventing incitement to the commission of any cognizable offence related to above, it may...by order, direct any agency of the government or intermediary to block for access by the public or cause to be blocked for access by the public any information generated, transmitted, received, stored or hosted in any computer resource.
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Under the same act Union Government in May had asked Twitter to withhold over 120 tweets from its platform including controversial Tweet from BJP MP Tejasvi Surya linking terrorism and Islam in 2015.
Pavan Duggal, cybersecurity expert explained in telephonic conversation to ETV Bharat that some apps after downloading asks for permissions that may include gallery, contacts and other details. This crucial data of the user is with app companies which can be misused against India and can cause serious national security and cybersecurity issues. This ban under ongoing border tensions is a good decision in the direction of cybersecurity.
