Highlights:
- Indian Intelligence agencies flags over 50 China-linked application
- It has asked the government to either block or ask the people to stop using these applications
- All these applications are available on both Android and iOS
The Indian intelligence agencies have flagged the usage of more than 50 China-linked application as a threat to the nation’s security as per the report from a leading Indian news agency. The intelligence agencies have asked the Indian government to either block or advise the people to stop using these applications.
The security agencies of India have raised concerns that these applications are not safe and could end up stealing a large amount of data which they can take outside India.
The list of the 52 application includes TikTok, Bigo Live, Shareit, UC Browser, Shein, Clash of Kings and more.
In addition to the China-linked apps, the Inter agencies have also raised concerns over the video-conferencing application named Zoom. In April this year, the Home Ministry issued an advisory on the usage of Zoom on the recommendation of the national cybersecurity agency – Computer Emergency Response Team of India (CERT-in).
As per the advisory, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) deemed Zoom as an unsafe platform and even asked individuals using this video-conferencing application to abide by certain security settings in an attempt to safeguard their data from the malicious attackers.
Also Read: More Features Coming To WhatsApp Including Group Video Calls On Web
The recommendation of the intelligence agencies is to ban these apps, additionally, it has also been supported by the National Security Council Secretariat, which also feels that these applications could be damaging of the security of the country.
The 52 China-linked flagged applications are as follows:
- 360 Security
- APUS Browser
- Baidu Map
- Baidu Translate
- BeautyPlus
- Bigo Live
- CacheClear DU apps studio
- Clash of Kings
- Clean Master – Cheetah
- ClubFactory
- CM Browser
- DU Battery Saver
- DU Browser
- DU Cleaner
- DU Privacy
- DU recorder
- ES File Explorer
- Helo
- Kwai
- LIKE
- Mail Master
- Mi Community
- Mi Store
- Mi Video call-Xiaomi
- NewsDog
- Parallel Space
- Perfect Corp
- Photo Wonder
- QQ International
- QQ Launcher
- QQ Mail
- QQ Music
- QQ NewsFeed
- QQ Player
- QQ Security Centre
- ROMWE
- SelfieCity
- SHAREit
- SHEIN
- TikTok
- UC Browser
- UC News
- Vault-Hide
- Vigo Video
- Virus Cleaner (Hi Security Lab)
- VivaVideo- QU Video Inc
- WeSync
- Wonder Camera
- Xender
- YouCam Makeup.
Currently, these 52 applications are available on both Google’s Play Store and Apple’s App Store.
Reportedly, the security agencies have also asked the security personnel to stop using these Chinese applications in view of the “detrimental impact that this could have on data security.”
Western Intel agencies have repeatedly voiced concerns regarding Chinese hardware and software, as they can be manipulated by the Chinese-regime in case of a conflict. The Indian Government have also asked both MTNL and BSNL to not use any Chinese products for their 4G technology and said has been advised to the private firms as well.
