TikTok & Other Chinese Apps Banned In India Over National Security Concerns

By Ammar Haziq  •  02 Jul 2020 in News

Thirsty for JUICE content? Quench your cravings on our Instagram, TikTok and WhatsApp

Popular video-sharing platform, TikTok, together with 59 other Chinese apps including WeChat and Helo are now banned in India. The decision comes over concerns that these apps were engaging in activities that threatened the country’s national security.

India’s Ministry of Information Technology said in an official press release that “in view of information available they are engaged in activities which is prejudicial to the sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order.”

Earlier in June, more than 20 Indian soldiers were killed and dozens believed to be captured in a military clash with Chinese soldiers in the Himalayas. This sparked Anti-China sentiments in the country for weeks and created tension between the two nuclear-armed countries.

According to Tech Crunch, India is the world’s second largest internet market with nearly half of its 1.3 billion population online. India has 600 million TikTok downloads, contributing 30 per cent of the 2 billion downloads worldwide and has more than 200 million monthly users on the app.

This isn’t the first time TikTok was banned in the country. Last year, the app was banned for a week for allegedly promoting pornography and over privacy concerns, but it appeared on the Play Store and Apple Store a few days later. The question now is how will the Indian government execute its ban.

pic.twitter.com/0DZQ3Ucqcl

— TikTok India (@TikTok_IN) June 30, 2020

Those who already have the app downloaded can technically still use it, but officially the platform is banned. Users have reported that they were unable to upload or view videos on the app.

TikTok has released a statement saying it is working with the Indian government to comply with the orders.

Click here for more news.