The temperature between India and China is running high post the Galwan valley clash. Amidst all the tension, Indian intelligence agencies have compiled a list of Chinese apps that they believe to be a potential threat for security. The list includes some of the most popular apps in India including video-sharing app TikTok, news app UC News, file transfer app Xender, Camera app Youcam, Xiaomi’s Mi store, and many more.
The National Security Council has also backed the claims made by intelligence agencies against the 53 listed apps. The principal government body also felt that these apps could be detrimental to India’s security. Currently, the National Security Council is examining the risks attached to each of these apps.
Here’s the complete list of apps that Indian intelligence agencies have asked the government to block in India:
- TikTok
- Vault-Hide
- Vigo Video
- Bigo Live
- SHAREit
- UC News
- UC Browser
- BeautyPlus
- Xender
- ClubFactory
- Helo
- LIKE
- Kwai
- ROMWE
- SHEIN
- NewsDog
- Photo Wonder
- APUS Browser
- VivaVideo
- QU Video Inc
- Perfect Corp
- CM Browser
- Virus Cleaner (Hi Security Lab)
- Mi Community
- DU recorder
- YouCam Makeup
- Mi Store
- 360 Security
- DU Battery Saver
- DU Browser
- DU Cleaner
- DU Privacy
- Clean Master – Cheetah
- CacheClear DU apps studio
- Baidu Translate
- Baidu Map
- Wonder Camera
- ES File Explorer
- QQ International
- QQ Launcher
- QQ Security Centre
- QQ Player
- QQ Music
- QQ Mail
- QQ NewsFeed
- WeSync
- SelfieCity
- Clash of Kings
- Mail Master
- Mi Video call
- Parallel Space
What’s really worrisome is that apps like Mi Store and Mi community come pre-installed on Xiaomi phones which leads India’s smartphone market with approx 30 percent market share. Similarly, UC Browser comes pre-installed on most of the affordable phones across brands which put user data at risk as pointed out by the intelligence agencies.
Likewise, Zoom app, which shot up in popularity during the COVID-19 crisis has been under the radar of security agencies around the world. Germany, Singapore, and Taiwan have already banned their government agencies from using Zoom while the US has asked its Senate member to pick other platforms for video conferencing.
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Chinese hardware and software have been flagged as potential threats by western security agencies from time to time. Various global agencies argue that these Chinese apps could act as trojan interceptors into foreign communication services at times of war and conflict. In this particular case, our national intelligence agencies have raised the same concern.
