MOHAMMAD ZIYAUDDIN
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Just as Chinese apps started making a comeback in India, the Indian government has once again cracked down, banning 119 apps—most of them linked to China and Hong Kong. According to a MoneyControl report, the apps have been blocked under Section 69A of the IT Act, which allows the government to restrict online content for national security and public order reasons.
119 Apps Blocked, But Only 15 Removed So Far
Interestingly, out of the 119 banned apps, only 15 have actually been removed so far. The rest are still available on the Google Play Store, suggesting that the enforcement process is still underway.
While the ban mainly targets Chinese and Hong Kong-based apps, some apps from the US, UK, Singapore, and Australia have also been affected.
Developers Left in the Dark
One of the biggest concerns? Developers weren’t even informed properly! Many of the affected app creators only found out about the ban when Google notified them. Now, they’re scrambling to figure out what went wrong and whether they can reverse the ban.
Apps That Have Been Banned
Here are some of the popular apps that have been affected:
ChillChat – A Singapore-based video chat app with over 1 million downloads in India.
ChangApp – A Chinese app developed by Blom.
HoneyCam – An Australian app developed by Shellin PTY Ltd.
Will These Apps Make a Comeback?
Some companies are willing to cooperate with the Indian government to get unbanned. For example, HoneyCam’s developers have stated they are ready to follow all Indian regulations and already have strict content moderation systems in place.
However, the bigger question remains:
Will India allow them to return, or is this a permanent ban?
