Technology
China gives response by restricting access to Indian media for ban of 59 Chinese applications
The day after the central government forbade TikTok, the popular short video sharing platform, and 58 other Chinese mobile apps in the country citing security concerns, China restricts access to Indian newspapers and websites.
Though Chinese newspapers and websites remain inaccessible in India, people in China can only access Indian media websites thought of as a Virtual Private Network ( VPN) server.
However, as of now, Indian TV channels can still be accessed via IP TV.
And for the past two days, ExpressVPN has not worked in the Communist state on the iPhone as well as on desktops.
Any user can use a virtual private network ( VPN) that provides online privacy and anonymity by generating a private network from a public Internet connection.
VPNs act as an Internet Protocol ( IP) address mask so that the online activities of the user can not be tracked.
However, China has already set up a technologically advanced firewall that blocks even VPNs.
According to the Indian Government's official statement, all of these apps are "harmful to the sovereignty and integrity of India, to the defense of India, to state security and to public order," the government said.
In an order issued pursuant to section 69A of the Information Technology Act, read in accordance with the related provisions of the Information Technology (Procedure and Protections for Blocking Access to Information by Public) Regulations 2009, the Ministry of Information Technology announced that it had decided to block 59 applications in view of the evolving nature of the threats.
In view of the information available, they are engaged in activities that undermine the sovereignty and integrity of India, the defense of India, the security of state and public order, the order stated.
On the basis of these, and on the basis of recent credible reports, that these apps pose a threat to the sovereignty and independence of India, the Government of India has decided to restrict the use of such apps used in both mobile and non-mobile Internet-enabled devices.
This move would safeguard the rights of Indian smartphone and internet users. This decision is a targeted step to ensure the security and sovereignty of Indian cyberspace, she added.
