The Centre is set to ban and block 138 betting and 94 loan-lending apps with Chinese links. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has initiated the process.
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The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has initiated the process to block these apps. (Representational image)
New Delhi , UPDATED: Feb 5, 2023 19:15 IST
In a big development, the Centre has taken a decision to ban and block 138 betting apps and 94 loan-lending apps with Chinese links on an “urgent” and “emergency” basis. Sources confirmed that the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) received an order from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) this week in this regard. The sources have also confirmed that MeitY has initiated the process to block these apps.
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The move was taken after confirming that these apps contain material that is prejudicial to the sovereignty and integrity of India under Section 69 of the IT Act.
It is learnt that these apps are the brainchild of Chinese nationals who hired Indians and made them directors in operation. ALSO READ: Free Fire app removed from Google Play store, Apple App store in India As per inputs from ANI, desperate individuals are lured into taking on a loan and then jacked up the interest by up to 3,000 per cent annually. When the debtors were unable to repay the interest, let alone the entire loan, individuals representing these apps started harassing those in debt. They sent them lewd messages, threatening to release their morphed photos and shaming them with messages to their contacts.
The matter came into the spotlight after a spate of suicides, particularly in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, by those who took such loans or lost money to betting apps. Several states as well as central intelligence agencies had then asked the Union Home Ministry to take action against these apps, sources said The MHA, based on these inputs, started analysing 28 Chinese loan lending apps six months ago. However, they found that 94 apps are available on e-stores and that others are working through third-party links. The Centre had in the past as well banned several Chinese apps that “pose a threat to India’s security”. Since June 2020, the government has banned over 200 Chinese apps, including popular applications like TikTok, Shareit, WeChat, Helo, Likee, UC News, Bigo Live, UC Browser, ES File Explorer, and Mi Community. .