India’s ban on Chinese apps: What next?

BENGALURU/NEW DELHI: Monday’s interim order by the government of India blocking 59 apps could potentially reset an entire ecosystem built by a plethora of Chinese mobile apps in specific categories, including short-video, where TikTok and Likee have come to dominate the markets. These apps are among those affected by the order, handing an almost overnight boost to local rivals like ShareChat and Roposo — who have been riding on the anti-China sentiment.

The interim order, issued on Monday evening, has been sent to all relevant intermediaries, including the app owners, those that facilitate access to the app (App Stores), and internet service providers and telecom networks. The ByteDance-owned TikTok, for instance, has already complied with the order, voluntarily taking down its app Monday night from the Google Play Store and Apple’s AppStore.