Govt order prohibiting Chinese apps on Google Play Store, App Store is fake: PIB

There’s an order circulating on social media which states that the government has prohibited Chinese apps from Google Play Store and App Store. It has now been clarified that the order is fake.

Press Bureau of India tweeted saying that this order which allegedly came from the National Informatics Centre is fake. The order has been made to look pretty accurate which can actually fool people into believing that it’s true. It states that the government has directed the representatives of Google India and Apple India under instructions from MeitY to “restrict the functioning of Chinese Applications from the respective stores with immediate effect”.

The order also specifically listed the Chinese apps that have been prohibited. These include LiveMe, Bigo Live, Vigo Video, Beauty Plus, CamScanner, Clash of Kings, Mobile Legends, TikTok, Club Factory, Shein, Romwe, AppLock, Vmate and Game of Sultans.

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The occurrence of this fake order isn’t really surprising with the ongoing anti-Chinese sentiments due to the India-China clash in Ladakh. People are boycotting Chinese smartphones and apps as a way of protesting against the Chinese government. There have been multiple calls to ban such apps which haven’t resulted in anything definite yet.

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It has led to rise in “Made in India” apps, and Indian smartphone makers like Micromax and Lava gearing up to launch “Chinese alternatives” for Indian consumers.