PUBG along with 118 Chinese apps banned in India amid border tensions

NIRMAL YESODA

Amid tensions in the Indo-China border, the Central government has banned 118 Chinese apps including the most popular smartphone game PUBG. The decision to ban these smartphone apps has been taken by Ministry of Electronics and Information and Technology. According to Ministry of Electronics and Information and Technology, these apps are “engaged in activities prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order”.

A statement issued by the Ministry revealed that they have received several complaints from various sources regarding the operation of these smartphone applications. The Ministry also alleged that these apps are apparently misusing the data of the users, and are taking all these information to servers outside India.

“This move will safeguard the interests of crores of Indian mobile and internet users. This decision is a targeted move to ensure safety, security and sovereignty of Indian cyberspace. The compilation of these data, its mining and profiling by elements hostile to national security and defence of India, which ultimately impinges upon the sovereignty and integrity of India, is a matter of very deep and immediate concern which requires emergency measures,” the statement said.

The decision to ban PUBG is expected to receive negative responses from the youth in the country, as there are millions of young people in the nation who spend hours playing this shooting game. However, several psychology experts have previously warned that games like PUBG will increase violent traits among its users.

It was around a few months back that the Indian government banned the much popular short video app, TikTok. The decision literally shocked TikTok lovers, and they urged the government to lift the ban, as it has nothing to do with data loss or national security. However, the government did not lift the ban, and within a couple of months, they have banned another popular Chinese app used by millions.

In the meantime, Donald Trump administration is also planning to ban TikTok in the United States, citing data loss concerns.