SCMP | India's Chinese app ban mirrors China's own policies

China has long banned foreign apps and websites, arguing that it has a right to “cyber sovereignty”

• India’s ban on 59 Chinese apps has China’s tech giants facing restrictions similar to those on international competitors back home

Chinese-made TikTok, Shareit, UC Browser, Baidu Maps and WeChat are among 59 Chinese apps India banned this week, citing "security of state and public order,” among other reasons. (Picture: Anindito Mukherjee/Bloomberg)

The endless stream of videos in one of the world’s most popular apps came to an abrupt halt in India this week. TikTok was among 59 apps that the Indian government blocked on Monday on national security grounds following a deadly clash between troops along the Indian-Chinese border.

The new ban goes further than simply removing the Chinese apps from local app stores. Authorities have also ordered internet service providers (ISPs) to bar access to these apps, which includes big names like WeChat, Clash of Kings and Kwai. That means even users who already have the apps installed will still be locked out.

It’s a move that could have been taken right out of China’s playbook.