Indian government bans 54 Chinese apps related to video chat, gaming, and selfie cameras.

According to the IT ministry, “These 54 apps allegedly obtain critical permissions and collect sensitive user data.”. This data is being misused and transferred to servers in hostile countries.”.

54 Chinese mobile applications that threaten India’s security have been recommended for a ban by the Union home ministry. In this regard, the ministry of information technology will soon issue a formal notification.

Among these apps are music players, selfie cameras, app locks, notepads, gaming, and video chat.

IT ministry officials said some of these applications can be used for espionage and surveillance via camera/mic, GPS access, and malicious network activity similar to previously banned apps.

The ministry also stated that these apps engaged in activities prejudicial to the sovereignty and integrity of the country as well as posing serious threats to the security of the state and defense of India.

Here is the list of the apps:

1. Beauty Camera: Sweet Selfie HD
2. Beauty Camera – Selfie Camera
3. Equalizer — Bass Booster & Volume EQ &Virtualizer
4. Music Player- Music, Mp3 Player
5. Equalizer & Bass Booster – Music Volume EQ
6. Music Plus – MP3 Player
7. Equalizer Pro – Volume Booster & Bass Booster
8. Video Player Media All Format
9. Music Player – Equalizer & MP3
10. Volume Booster – Loud Speaker & Sound Booster
11. Music Player – MP3 Player
12. CamCard for SalesForce Ent
13. Isoland 2: Ashes of Time Lite
14. Rise of Kingdoms: Lost Crusade
15. APUS Security HD (Pad Version)
16. Parallel Space Lite 32 Support
17. Viva Video Editor – Snack Video Maker with Music
18. Nice video Baidu
19. Tencent Xriver
20. Onmyoji Chess
21. Onmyoji Arena
22. AppLock
23. Dual Space Lite – Multiple Accounts & Clone App
24. Dual Space Pro – Multiple Accounts & App Cloner
25. DualSpace Lite – 32Bit Support
26. Dual Space – 32Bit Support
27. Dual Space – 64Bit Support
28. Dual Space Pro – 32Bit Support
29. Conquer Online – MMORPG Game
30. Conquer Online Ⅱ
31. Live Weather & Radar – Alerts
32. Notes- Color Notepad, Notebook
33. MP3 Cutter – Ringtone Maker & Audio Cutter
34. Voice Recorder & Voice Changer
35. Barcode Scanner – QR Code Scan
36. Lica Cam – selfie camera app
37. EVE Echoes
38. Astracraft
39. UU Game Booster-network solution for high ping
40. Extraordinary Ones
41. Badlanders
42. Stick Fight: The Game Mobile
43. Twilight Pioneers
44. CuteU: Match With The World
45. SmallWorld-Enjoy group chat and video chat
46. CuteU Pro
47. FancyU – Video Chat & Meetup
48. RealU: Go Live, Make Friends
49. MoonChat: Enjoy Video Chats
50. RealU Lite -video to live!
51. Wink: Connect Now
52. FunChat Meet People Around You
53. FancyU pro – Instant Meetup through Video chat!
54. Garena Free Fire – Illuminate

Earlier, the Centre had banned 267 applications due to security concerns. On June 29, 2020, 59 applications were banned, followed by 47 on August 10, 2020. Following this, 118 such applications were banned on September 1, 2020, and the remaining 43 were banned on November 19, 2020.