Indian officials are set to block 119 mobile apps, mostly video and voice chat sites associated with Chinese and Hong Kong-based developers, based on Google data released on the Lumen Database, an online platform operated by Harvard University that monitors content takedown requests from governments and others.
Up to now, only 15 of these apps have been banned in India, with the rest still accessible for download as of February 20, according to a Moneycontrol analysis. A smaller group of the banned apps comes from nations like Singapore, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
The blocking orders are thought to have been granted under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, whereby the Indian government is empowered to limit public access to online materials in the public interest, and in the context of national security, sovereignty, and public order. The said provision has come into use for blocking Chinese applications in the past, especially post-increased geopolitical tensions with China.
Three affected developers assured to Moneycontrol that they were notified about the decision by Google. They said they were ready to cooperate with the government of India to resolve any issues.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) order emerged in Google's February 18 disclosure on Lumen Database, although the listing has since been taken down. The disclosure did not specify whether the delay in enforcing the ban on the remaining apps was technical or procedural.
A government spokesperson, when contacted for a response, refused to give details under the cloak of Section 69A orders' confidentiality. Meanwhile, Moneycontrol has contacted 101 of the impacted apps, the IT Ministry, and Google for additional comments and will update the report as soon as feedback is obtained.
Developers Seek Clarity
A few of the app developers hit by the order complained of Indian authorities' failure to provide information on why they were banning their apps.
Singaporean Mangostar Team behind ChillChat, a video chat and game application with more than 1 million downloads on Google Play Store, confirmed to receive notification from Google regarding the likelihood of blocking the app. In a statement, a representative of the team indicated the immense business and Indian users' impact a ban could pose.
"A blocking order would not just impact us developers but also shatter the experience of our users who are counting on our site for communication and entertainment. An inability to get access to the Indian market can impact the years of trust which we have managed to gain over time," stated the spokesperson.
The firm further stated that it is working actively with MeitY to request clarification and resolve any compliance issues, stressing its dedication to regulatory compliance while ensuring service continuity for Indian users.
Business Disruptions
ChangApp, a China-based company running the app Blom, was also issued a blocking order. In an emailed statement, Blom's team, in Chinese, said that Google had not given any particular guidance on the ban.
"This move would substantially damage our business by limiting user expansion and detracting from the quality of experience of current users. In the long run, harm to our staff and years of effort might prove to be irrevocable," the firm stated. It further said it is looking for potential solutions and hopes to obtain additional assistance in order to steer the issue forward.
Compliance and Cooperation
Australia-based Shellin PTY Ltd, the developer of the HoneyCam app, also confirmed having received the notice. A spokesperson of the company assured Moneycontrol that they are committed to adhering to Indian laws, including the IT Act 2000.
"India is an important market for HoneyCam, and we cherish our users here. We understand the need to comply with local regulations and are willing to work with the government of India so our app can be kept in compliance," the spokesperson said.
The firm highlighted that it already has strong content moderation processes in place, such as automated filtering and manual moderation, to guarantee compliance with the law.
Escalating Regulatory Scrutiny
Although it is not yet certain whether national security issues are behind this new wave of app blocking, the addition of apps from outside China and Hong Kong suggests a more extensive regulatory scope.
With just 15 of the 119 apps found to be blocked so far, it is uncertain when and how the rest will be blocked. Google's announcement has not given a deadline for complete enforcement.
Moneycontrol will continue to follow up the story with additional comments from affected developers and government officials.
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