Modi govt’s new direction to 59 banned Chinese apps: Ensure compliance or face penal action

With reports emerging that some of the banned Chinese apps are still available to consumers, the government has written to all the companies to ensure compliance, failing which strict action will be taken against them. According to sources, the ministry of electronics and IT (Meity) on Tuesday wrote to the 59 app companies that continued availability and operation of these banned apps, directly or indirectly, is not only illegal but also an offence under the Information Technology Act and other applicable acts, which would attract penal provisions.

The sources further said the ban was imposed in exercise of the sovereign powers and section 69A of the Information Technology Act. “If the app is found to be made available by the company through any means for use within India, directly or indirectly, it would be construed as a violation of the government orders,” said the source.