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.
India banned 59 Chinese mobile apps including TikTok, a move that follows a recent clash between the nations’ security forces near a disputed border https://t.co/hk8ikD6VE9
— The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) June 29, 2020
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.
Government bans 59 mobile apps including #TikTok, likee, UC Browser, etc.
— ektainlove (@ektainlove) June 29, 2020
This decision is a targeted move to ensure safety and sovereignty of Indian cyberspace & to safeguard interests of crores of Indian mobile/internet users pic.twitter.com/ClR6ilZIHr
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.
Big #retaliation by #GovtofIndia against #China Our forces will fight them on ground meanwhile Indiadoes the‘#DigitalAirStrike ’on China. Govt of #India bans #59Chineseapps #ucbrowser, #CamScanner, #ShareIt , #zoom including #TikTok.#Xingping reaction#ModiBlockedChiniApps #pubg pic.twitter.com/96Xh8fuHM0
— sujeet kumar rastogi (@sujit_rastogi) June 29, 2020
If #China dares to occupy entire #Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh, #India may finally ban @PUBG.
— EKRAM WARIS اکرام وارث (@ekramwaris) June 29, 2020
This time warning with #TikTok because it's just 60sqkm.#IndiaChinaFaceOff pic.twitter.com/YI0SF4XPlR
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.
China Government after Tiktok ban in India- pic.twitter.com/oijfisiHeW
— Mannat (@mannat_deep) June 29, 2020
#TikTok #59Chinese #PUBG #pubgban #ChineseAppBlocked #Chineseapps #ModiBlockedChiniApps #tiktokbanned #banchineseapp #BBNaijaReunion #lockdownextension #cybersecurity #IndiaChinaFaceOff #India #china #love #happy #AmericaFirst #YouTube #Facebook #instagood #Twitter #Balochistan pic.twitter.com/EYcvb37wI5
— proud indian ?? (@Dhanesh37591148) June 30, 2020
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.
Tiktok & all other Chinese apps are banned in India expect PUBG.
— Saurabh Singh (@100rabhsingh781) June 29, 2020
Meanwhile #PUBG squad rightnow:#DigitalAirStrike pic.twitter.com/uL2c0Lba7k
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.
In the wake of the India-China clash at the #GalwanValley, the Indian govt took the unprecedented step of banning 59 Chinese apps in the country including #TikTok and #UCBrowser However, people were confused as to why #PUBG did not find a mention in the long list? pic.twitter.com/G0cnD5bnIT
— India.com (@indiacom) June 30, 2020