China protests apps’ ban

| | New Delhi
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China protests apps’ ban

Wednesday, 01 July 2020 | PNS | New Delhi

China protests apps’ ban

The 59 Chinese origin apps banned by India on Monday due to security threat, including short video sharing application TikTok, have stopped working in the country even as the Chinese embassy here issued a statement to express that Beijing is “seriously concerned and firmly opposed to such action.”

TikTok has stopped working in India and was delisted from Google Play and App Store. The app has completely stopped working on all devices, including the desktop website, and a user notice is displayed inside the application to inform users about the ban. Besides TikTok, 58 other Chinese apps have also stopped working following the ban.

Spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in India Counselor Ji Rong said, “The Chinese side is seriously concerned with and firmly opposed to such action.” 

“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 suspects of violating the WTO rules. It also goes against the general trend of international trade and e-commerce, and is not conducive to consumer interests and the market competition in India,” reads the statement.

The ban will affect not only the employment of local Indian workers who support these apps, but also the interests of Indian users and the employment and livelihoods of many creators and entrepreneurs, it claimed.

“We expect India acknowledges the mutually beneficial nature of China-India economic and trade cooperation, and urge the Indian side to change its discriminatory practices, maintain the momentum of China-India economic and trade cooperation, treat all investments and service providers equally, and create an open, fair and just business environment, while bearing in mind the fundamental interests of both sides and the overall interests of bilateral relations,” the Chinese embassy added in its statement.

The TikTok app now displays a “network error” alongside a notice that reads, “Dear users, we are in the process of complying with the Government of India’s directive to block 59 apps. Ensuring the privacy and security of all our users in India remains our utmost priority.”

Asserting that it has not shared information of Indian users with any foreign Government, including that of China, Tik Tok said it has been invited to meet with concerned Government stakeholders for an opportunity to respond and submit clarifications.

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