The Indian government has taken decisive action to protect user privacy and security, by banning over 200 betting and loan apps with alleged “Chinese links”. The move was made on an “urgent and emergency basis” by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), as directed by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Why the Ban Was Implemented
The ban was put in place under Section 69 of the IT law, which is aimed at preserving the integrity and privacy of India. The decision to ban the betting and loan apps came after numerous complaints were filed by users who had been harassed by the operators of these mobile lending apps, due to non-payment of debts. The apps are accused of luring people into taking out loans with high interest rates, causing many to become unable to repay their debts.
The @GoI_MeitY has started the process to ban & block 138 betting apps and 94 loan lending apps which reportedly have Chinese links on an “urgent” and “emergency” basis. The move came after a communication from Ministry of Home Affairs. pic.twitter.com/6AtLcVqRGR
— Prasar Bharati News Services & Digital Platform (@PBNS_India) February 5, 2023
Suicide Triggered by Debt Burden
The impact of these apps has been devastating for some users, with several reports of people committing suicide as a result of their debt burden. In response, the Ministry of Home Affairs conducted an investigation into 28 loan apps six months ago, discovering that 94 of these apps were operating through third-party links.
New Guidelines for Digital Lending Firms
The decision to ban the betting and loan apps comes in the wake of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) releasing new guidelines for digital lending firms. These guidelines put restrictions on lending firms from increasing users’ credit limits without permission and require lending apps to seek permission before acquiring any data.
No Word on Banned App Names
At this time, there has been no official comment from MeitY or the Ministry of Home Affairs on the specific names of the banned apps.
A Growing Trend in India
This is not the first time that India has taken action against apps with links to China. In June 2020, the government began banning apps like TikTok and has since banned over 100 other apps, such as PUBG Mobile, WeChat, and more. Last year, there was also a ban on over 50 apps, including Garena Free Fire, Beauty Camera, Viva Video Editor, App Lock, and others.
Conclusion
As the Indian government continues to take steps to protect user privacy and security, it’s important to stay informed about the latest developments in this area. We’ll be sure to keep you updated with any new information on the banned betting and loan apps, so stay tuned and share your thoughts in the comments below.
