Unemployment Looms Large Over Youth As India Bans 59 Chinese Apps

Amid growing tensions on the India-China border, the central government has banned 59 Chinese mobile applications, including big players such as TikTok and UC Browser. After the Indian Government's order, Google Play Store has started removing popular applications like TikTok, WeChat, Club Factory, UC Browser, CamScanner, Shareit, Helo, and Xender.

Government of India bans 59 mobile apps. Tik Tok, UC Browser and other Chinese apps included in the list. pic.twitter.com/RZyZ9FsAsc

— ANI (@ANI) June 29, 2020

The decision was taken by the Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology citing security concerns. Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad tweeted that 59 mobile applications have been banned for India's security, sovereignty, and integrity. 

For safety, security, defence, sovereignty & integrity of India and to protect data & privacy of people of India the Government has banned 59 mobile apps.
Jai Hind! ????????

— Ravi Shankar Prasad (@rsprasad) June 29, 2020

Demand for the boycott of Chinese companies and their products was gaining momentum amid growing tension over the border dispute. The campaign to uninstall Chinese applications on social media had also intensified. It is being said that due to mounting pressure on social media, the central government has taken such a step. However, it is also being said that Chinese mobile applications were illegally stealing user data and sending it to servers outside India. 

The hardest blow has been dealt to thousands of Indian youth who were working for these companies. Now, in the time of a pandemic, there is a fear among them of losing their job.

The Chinese app TikTok is extremely popular in the country and has around 12 crore active users. Similarly, there are 13 crore UC Browser users and 10 crore active users of Club Factory and CamScanner.

However, apart from these free mobile applications, Chinese companies have huge investments in various companies in the country. These include big giants like Flipkart, Paytm, Paytm Mall, Policy Bazaar, BigBasket, Ola, and Oyo. Will there be significant actions against these companies too by the Indian Govt?