The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has banned 54 more apps which have either originated in China or have some Chinese connection.
- These apps were banned for being a threat to national security.
Provisions in this regard:
The new apps have been banned using emergency powers under Section 69 of the Information Technology Act. Most of these apps were operating as clones or shadow apps of the apps that had earlier been banned by the government.
Section 69 of the Information Technology Act.
Explain that The Union Home Secretary, last week, promulgated an order authorising 10 Central agencies to monitor, intercept and decrypt information which is transmitted, generated, stored in or received by any computer. Highlight that The notification was reportedly issued in pursuance of powers stipulated in Section 69 of the Information Technology Act, 2000, which enables government agencies to intercept personal information of citizens under certain conditions.
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- Explain in detail about section 69 of the IT Act. Discuss the reason why the said section is considered as antithetical to privacy.
- In order for a restriction such as Section 69 allowing for interception of personal data on a computer to be constitutionally valid, it would not only have to pursue a legitimate state aim (say, for instance, national security) but also be proportionate, so that there is a rational nexus between the means adopted (i.e., authorisation of interception) and the aim.
- Section 69 of the IT Act is so broadly worded that it could enable mass surveillance to achieve relatively far less serious aims such as preventing the incitement of the commission of a cognisable offence
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- Under Section 69, the government can intercept personal information under any of the following conditions: when it is necessary in the interest of Indian sovereignty or integrity; security of the state; friendly relations with foreign states; public order; and for preventing incitement to the commission of any cognisable offence related to these. While the first four feature in Article 19(2) of the Constitution, the last, namely preventing incitement to commission of cognisable offences, is not an enumerated restriction. A restriction in the form of authorised surveillance would not be justified unless it is in order to maintain public order, a reasonable restriction under Article 19(2). Etc
- Examine why such an order might be necessary in light of genuine state interests.
Which other apps have been banned by the government in the past?
In total so far, close to 300 apps and their proxies have been banned by the IT ministry.
- In its reasoning then, the ministry has said that these apps were “prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order”.
Why was this necessary? (Arguments by the government)
- Government had received many complaints from various sources including several reports about misuse of some mobile apps available on Android and iOS platforms for stealing and surreptitiously transmitting users’ data in an unauthorized manner to servers which have locations outside India.
- The compilation of these data, its mining and profiling by elements hostile to national security and defence of India, which ultimately impinges upon the sovereignty and integrity of India, is a matter of very deep and immediate concern which requires emergency measures.
- The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, Ministry of Home Affairs has also sent an exhaustive recommendation for blocking these malicious apps.
Section 69A of IT act:
Section 69A of the IT Act, empowers the Central Government to order that access to certain websites and computer resources be blocked in the interest of the defense of the country, its sovereignty and integrity, the security of the State, friendly relations with foreign States, public order or for preventing incitement to the commission of an offence.
Implications of this move
The blocking of a hundred more Chinese mobile applications suggests that the Indian government wants to make it amply clear that it will not shy away from leveraging its position as a massive market for technology in dealing with potentially dangerous geopolitical issues.
- Pakistan Occupied Kashmir
- Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana
- National Land Monetisation Corporation
- ICC U-19 World Cup 2022
- Lata Mangeshkar: 10 lesser-known facts about the ‘Nightingale of India
- Delimitation Panel
- India’s stakes in its ties with Ukraine & Russia?
- Kerala Governor signs Lok Ayukta ordinance
- Happy Rose Day 2022: Wishes, Greetings, Images, Pics, Facebook And WhatsApp Status
- Gulf Oil Lubricants India Ltd. Target Price 790 (Short Term Target 540)
What has China’s response been to the ban?
China has said that it suspects India’s actions could be in violation of the World Trade Organization (WTO) rules.
- The Chinese Government said “India’s measure selectively and discriminatorily aims at certain Chinese apps on ambiguous and far-fetched grounds, runs against fair and transparent procedure requirements, abuses national security exceptions, and [is suspected] of violating the WTO rules.”
Here's the list of apps Indian consumers won't be able to download through Google Play starting now:
- Beauty Camera: Sweet Selfie HD
- Beauty Camera – Selfie Camera
- Equalizer – Bass Booster & Volume EQ & Virtualizer
- Music Player- Music.Mp3 Player
- Equalizer & Bass Booster – Music Volume EQ
- Music Plus – MP3 Player
- Equalizer Pro – Volume Booster & Bass Booster
- Video Player Media All Format
- Music Player – Equalizer & MP3
- Volume Booster – Loud Speaker & Sound Booster
- Music Player – MP3 Player
- CamCard for SalesForce Ent
- Isoland 2: Ashes of Time Lite
- Rise of Kingdoms: Lost Crusade
- IS/APUS Security HD (Pad Version)
- Parallel Space Lite 32 Support
- Viva Video Editor – Snack Video Maker with Music
- Nice video baidu
- Tencent Xriver
- Onmyoji Chess
- Onmyoji Arena
- AppLock
- Dual Space Lite – Multiple Accounts & Clone App
- Dual Space Pro – Multiple Accounts & App Cloner
- DualSpace Lite – 32Bit Support
- Dual Space – 32Bit Support
- Dual Space – 64Bit Support
- Dual Space Pro – 32Bit Support
- Conquer Online – MMORPG Game
- Conquer Online Il
- Live Weather & Radar – Alerts
- Notes- Color Notepad, Notebook
- MP3 Cutter – Ringtone Maker & Audio Cutter
- Voice Recorder & Voice Changer
- Barcode Scanner – QR Code Scan
- Lica Cam – selfie camera app
- EVE Echoes
- Astracraft
- UU Game Booster-network solution for high ping
- Extraordinary Ones
- Badlanders
- Stick Fight: The Game Mobile
- Twilight Pioneers
- CuteU: Match With The World
- Small World-Enjoy groupchat and video chat
- CuteU Pro
- FancvU – Video Chat & Meetup
- Real: Go Live. Make Friends
- MoonChat: Enjoy Video Chats
- Real Lite -video to live!
- Wink: Connect Now
- FunChat Meet People Around You
- FancyU pro – Instant Meetup through Video chat!
- Garena Free Fire – Illuminate
- Pakistan Occupied Kashmir
- Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana
- National Land Monetisation Corporation
- ICC U-19 World Cup 2022
- Lata Mangeshkar: 10 lesser-known facts about the ‘Nightingale of India
- Delimitation Panel
- India’s stakes in its ties with Ukraine & Russia?
- Kerala Governor signs Lok Ayukta ordinance
- Happy Rose Day 2022: Wishes, Greetings, Images, Pics, Facebook And WhatsApp Status
- Gulf Oil Lubricants India Ltd. Target Price 790 (Short Term Target 540)
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