India Bans TikTok and WeChat, Launching an App War on China

Recent tensions along the border and cybersecurity concerns led to this unprecedented move

Photo: Kon Karampelas/Unsplash

Earlier this week, India’s Ministry of Information Technology issued a press release banning 59 apps that the government says pose a “threat to sovereignty and integrity” of the nation. Although the press release does not call out any country by name, the fact that all the apps are Chinese leaves no doubt as to the target.

1. TikTok
2. SHAREit
3. Kwai
4. UC Browser
5. Baidu Map
6. Shein
7. Clash of Kings
8. DU Battery Saver
9. Helo
10. Likee
11. YouCam Makeup
12. Mi Community
13. CM Browser
14. Virus Cleaner
15. APUS Browser
16. ROMWE
17. Club Factory
18. NewsDog
19. BeautyPlus
20. WeChat
21. UC News
22. QQ Mail
23. Weibo
24. Xender
25. QQ Music
26. QQ Newsfeed
27. Bigo Live
28. SelfieCity
29. Mail Master
30. Parallel Space
31. Mi Video Call — Xiaomi
32. WeSync
33. ES File Explorer
34. VivaVideo — QU Video Inc.
35. Meitu
36. Vigo Video
37. New Video Status
38. DU Recorder
39. Vault—Hide
40. Cache Cleaner DU App studio
41. DU Cleaner
42. DU Browser
43. Hago Play With New Friends
44. CamScanner
45. Clean Master — Cheetah Mobile
46. Wonder Camera
47. Photo Wonder
48. QQ Player
49. WeMeet