Why Did India's 'Digital Airstrike' on Chinese Apps Include TikTok but Not PUBG?

Amidst escalating border clashes between China and India near the Ladakh region, the Indian government started what has been described as a "digital airstrike" targeting popular Chinese mobile apps.

The surprising Indian move, in which the government has reportedly blocked access to 59 of Chinese developed and owned apps widely used in the country, was hailed by Indian social media users, who considered it "proper revenge" after Chinese forces had killed about 20 Indian soldiers by the borders in Ladakh.

Being the first in 45 years, clashes started following China's accusation against India of crossing the borders into its territory about two weeks ago.

Upon the official Indian announcement, the Indian digital crackdown has inspired many Indian commentators' sense of humor, as they posted numerous memes mocking the Chinese financial damage expected of the apps ban, especially as TikTok had been downloaded over 323 million times in India during 2019.

However, users noted that the PUBG mobile application was still accessible in India despite the official decision that went into effect immediately, urging many users to wonder about the popular game's destiny, especially as it was developed by the Chinese giant Tencent.

Some argued that the fact the game was first developed by a South Korean company, before a partnership with Tencent resulted in the mobile app, is the main reason the mobile app was still available to users in India.