BAN ON CHINESE MOBILE APPLICATIONS
Author: Shusna Santra
INTRODUCTION
The central government( Indian government) has recently banned 118 Chinese apps. Due to that, there were heated arguments between China and India. The Government through the Ministry of Information and Technology recently banned popular Chinese applications including Tik Tok, Shein, UC browser, on grounds to safeguard sovereignty and integrity of India and also to ensure the security of the state by invoking Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000 which gives ample to the central government to do so.[1] India has over 574 million Internet users approximately. This ban is a big blow on the Chinese economy causing phenomenal loss of users thus impacting the revenue.
WHAT LED TO THE BAN?
The Ministry of Information and Technology in a press conference stated that it had received many complaints from various sources about the misuse of phone applications on IOS and Android illegal transfer of data to servers located outside India.
The said Ministry in order to safeguard the sovereignty and integrity if India blocked the apps transmitting data in an unauthorized manner by using its power under Section 69A of Information Technology Act,2000, read with IT (Procedure and safeguard for blocking access of Information by Public) Rules 2009. The Ministry disclosed that it issued 'exhaustive recommendations' from the Cyber Crime Coordination Centre at the Home Ministry.
However, according to some critics, the ban was the outcome of the current standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh with Chinese troops as it will serve as a device to weaken the Chinese economy.
IMPACT ON INDIA
Data privacy is important as digital technology is the new currency of global power and economy. Banning applications that infringe the personal data of the users was a step taken by the government to safeguard the nation's security and sweep out evil practices.
India was a huge market for Chinese apps. Apps like Shein, Tik Tok had over 200 million users. The most downloaded apps in India were Chinese. The ban reduced technological dependence and promoted the idea of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' (Self Reliant India)[2].
As people started using apps like jio meet, Zoho, doc scanning apps, instead of cam scanner, zoom meeting, and other Chinese applications. As a consequence of the ban on the Chinese, the Indian IT industry is set to achieve higher goals and achieve success in the coming years. Thus helping to achieve the objectives of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' (self-reliant India). Trade is a major strength of an economy and India's ban on these apps is a major hit on their economy.
IMPACT ON CHINA
China lost one of its main markets. Although the Chinese Government is accusing this step and calling it a discriminatory measure and termed the act in violation of World Trade Organization (WTO) Rules. Several Chinese application companies who made a large profit out of the Indian market are now suffering a huge loss. When Tik Tok was banned Byte Dance Ltd suffered a loss of 15 million a month. China’s dream to become the digital superpower of the world seems to be destroyed
CONCLUSION
The ban made it clear that technological development forms the main source of economic development. Hence India should balance between growth and development and protection of the country's sovereignty and integrity. This step of the government is supported by countries like the USA, UK, France. China, on the other hand, will not sit quietly but if we see the positive side this ban gave Indian app developers a chance to shine and show their talent in app development thus encouraging the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative of the Central Government.[3]
References
[1]https://internetdemocracy.in/laws/the-information-technology-amendment-act-2008/section-69a-and-the-blocking-rules/ [2]https://www.investindia.gov.in/atmanirbhar-bharat-abhiyaan [3]http://www.legalserviceindia.com/legal/article-3504-ban-on-chinese-apps-need-and-impact.html 4https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/the-hindu-explains-what-will-be-the-impact-of-chinese-apps-ban/article31991127.ece