India Bans More Chinese Apps, Alibaba and AliExpress Also Gets Banned

Yesterday evening the Indian Government banned more Chinese apps from operating on Indian soil. This was the fourth great Chinese app ban that the government has done ever since the tensions between India and China escalated. The first Chinese app ban was done in June of this year and since then many big apps like TikTok, PUBG Mobile, WeChat, and many more have been banned in India. With this new Chinese app ban, the total number of apps is now at 267. The new Chinese app ban has 43 apps in total but the big names that are now banned include AliExpress, AliSuppliers, Alibaba, and Alipay. Basically, all of Alibaba is now banned in India.

The statement issued by the Indian Government regarding the new Chinese app ban says "Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India today issued an order under section 69A of the Information Technology Act blocking access to 43 mobile apps. This action was taken based on the inputs regarding these apps for engaging in activities which are prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has issued the order for blocking the access of these apps by users in India based on the comprehensive reports received from Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Center, Ministry of Home Affairs.

Earlier on 29th June, 2020 the Government of India had blocked access to 59 mobile apps and on 2nd September, 2020 118 more apps were banned under section 69A of the Information Technology Act. Government is committed to protect the interests of citizens and sovereignty and integrity of India on all fronts and it shall take all possible steps to ensure that."

Government of India blocks 43 mobile apps from accessing by users in India.

Details: https://t.co/vPCcghdtDv@GoI_MeitY @rsprasad @SanjayDhotreMP @SecretaryMEITY

— PIB_India MeitY (@MeityPib) November 24, 2020

List of Banned Chinese Apps:

• AliSuppliers Mobile App
• Alibaba Workbench
• AliExpress - Smarter Shopping, Better Living
• Alipay Cashier
• Lalamove India - Delivery App
• Drive with Lalamove India
• Snack Video
• CamCard - Business Card Reader
• CamCard - BCR (Western)
• Soul- Follow the soul to find you
• Chinese Social - Free Online Dating Video App & Chat
• Date in Asia - Dating & Chat For Asian Singles
• WeDate-Dating App
• Free dating app-Singol, start your date!
• Adore App
• TrulyChinese - Chinese Dating App
• TrulyAsian - Asian Dating App
• ChinaLove: dating app for Chinese singles
• DateMyAge: Chat, Meet, Date Mature Singles Online
• AsianDate: find Asian singles
• FlirtWish: chat with singles
• Guys Only Dating: Gay Chat
• Tubit: Live Streams
• WeWorkChina
• First Love Live- super hot live beauties live online
• Rela - Lesbian Social Network
• Cashier Wallet
• MangoTV
• MGTV-HunanTV official TV APP
• WeTV - TV version
• WeTV - Cdrama, Kdrama&More
• WeTV Lite
• Lucky Live-Live Video Streaming App
• Taobao Live
• DingTalk
• Identity V
• Isoland 2: Ashes of Time
• BoxStar (Early Access)
• Heroes Evolved
• Happy Fish
• Jellipop Match-Decorate your dream island！
• Munchkin Match: magic home building
• Conquista Online II

It is clear that apart from Alibaba apps none other are quite as important. Most of the apps that the Indian government has banned this time are either phishing dating apps or games that were neither popular nor playable in the first place. It remains to be seen how Alibaba which is the Chinese equivalent of Amazon will respond. People in India, especially tech nerds and traders used Alibaba or AliExpress to import goods from all over the world. So banning Alibaba and other apps related to Alibaba is definitely going to raise some eyebrows.