MEITY issues orders for blocking apps under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act
PIB: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, GOI today issued an order under section 69A of the Information Technology Act blocking access to 43 mobile apps.
In a press release, the government said that the “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”. The Government has said that it 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.
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.
A few top apps blocked by GOI include:
AliSuppliers Mobile App
Alibaba Workbench
AliExpress
Alipay Cashier
CamCard – Business Card Reader
CamCard – BCR (Western)
Drive with Lalamove India
Lalamove India
MangoTV
Snack Video
WeDate
The list includes many other dating apps, mobile games, chat apps, TV apps and Wallet apps. These apps had seen millions of installations on app stores. Since most of the apps are or Chinese origin or made by companies registered in China, the latest move is seen as another digital strike against China by the government of India.
Dr. Niranjan B Poojar 
Balaji Subramanian