World: India bans TikTok and dozens more Chinese apps

Merge 104.8  |  30 June 2020

India’s government has banned TikTok and more than 50 Chinese-made apps, following escalating tensions along the disputed border between the two countries, according to the New York Times and other international media.

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The popular video app TikTok has already been taken down from App store and Google Play.

TikTok has already been taken down from App store and Google Play in India. Source: Shutterstock – For illustrative purposes only

In a statement, the Indian government said the apps were “prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order”.

In total, 59 apps were banned – among them popular messaging app WeChat.

Both India and China deployed more troops to the Ladakh region in June.

Clashes have left at least 20 Indian troops dead. The Chinese government has not yet commented on the move.