India announces that it will be cutting ties with the popular social media apps such as TikTok, WeChat following the Himalayan border clash.
The tension between the two of the most populated countries began when India and China clashed during a deadly standoff. It caused 20 fatalities to India, whereas the casualties of China remain unknown.
The Ministry of Information Technology cited that the apps “are engaged in activities… prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defense of India, security of state and public order,”
Data theft and privacy breach are among the reasons that lead the ministry to such decision.
While TikTok India already issued a statement that they are fully cooperating in this matter, there is no specific date as to when the exclusion would take effect.
— TikTok India (@TikTok_IN) June 30, 2020
Research states that around 50 percent or 1.3 billion Indian citizens are online, making it the primary target market of Chinese telecommunications and social networking companies.
In addition, an estimated number of 120 million TikTok users are from India.
Other apps that would permanently become unavailable in India soon are Clash of Kings, WeChat, Weibo, and UC Browser.
Photo Credit: Freepik/user9736801
