VLC Media Player BANNED in India or not?

Recently, one of the most popular media players named VLC Media Player was reportedly banned in India. Or has it? However, the app is still available for download on Google Play Store and App Store for everyone. Also, if you have the player is installed on your gadget, you can play it without a hitch, However, the website, www.videolan.org, is down. According to reports, VLC Media Player is said to be not working on some PCs. Notably, there is no official word related to the VLC Media Player ban from the government sources.

According to a report by Gadgets Now, the blocking of the app is not new as VLC's parent organisation, VideoLan, claims that the platform was banned 6 months ago in the month of February 2022. The report further informed that VideoLan even approached the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to know the reasons behind the ban, however, they did not receive any response. However, there are still several reasons that indicate VLC Media Player may not be banned in India. Have a look on the reasons here:

Also Read: Banned apps in India: BGMI to VLC Media player, know the BIGGEST names that were blocked

1. The App is still available for download on Google Play Store and App Store

Generally, the banned apps are being removed from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store so that it cannot be downloaded by the masses. This is what happened to PUBG Mobile, Garena Free Fire and so many other China linked websites. But, this is not the case with the VLC Media Player. It can be noted that the other apps that have been banned in India including BGMI have been removed from these stores.

Also Read: Popular VLC Media Player banned in India: Report

2. No official statement from the Government of India

The Government of India has not yet released any official statement regarding the ban of VLC Media Player in India. Earlier, whenever such decisions of banning apps were taken, an official statement was released from the government citing the reason behind the ban. However, nothing as such has yet happened in this case. According to a report by Gadgets Now, The Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF) had filed a Right to Information application with DoT seeking more information on the website getting banned to which the GoI MeitY responded with “No information is available [with MeitY]”. Also, officials in the ministry have denied “anything to do” with the ban.

3. VLC website appearing in Google search

Typing VLC on your Google search will give you the suggestion of the official website of the media player. Also, when clicked on the suggestion, the website of VLC media Player with the URL- https://www.videolan.org/ opened on a Windows laptop. It even showed the download VLC option.