Govt Blocks 118 Mobile Apps including PUBG, Baidu and WeChat Work

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India invoking it’s power under section 69A of the Information Technology Act read with the relevant provisions of the Information Technology (Procedure and Safeguards for Blocking of Access of Information by Public) Rules 2009 and in view of the emergent nature of threats has decided to block 118 mobile apps (see Appendix below of this post) since in view of information available they are engaged in activities which is prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has received many complaints from various sources including several reports about misuse of some mobile apps available on Android and iOS platforms for stealing and surreptitiously transmitting users’ data in an unauthorized manner to servers which have locations outside India. The compilation of these data, its mining and profiling by elements hostile to national security and defence of India, which ultimately impinges upon the sovereignty and integrity of India, is a matter of very deep and immediate concern which requires emergency measures.

The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, Ministry of Home Affairs has also sent an exhaustive recommendation for blocking these malicious apps.. Likewise, there have been similar bipartisan concerns, flagged by various public representatives, both outside and inside the Parliament of India. There has been a strong chorus in the public space to take strict action against Apps that harm India’s sovereignty as well as the privacy of our citizens.

On the basis of these and upon receiving of recent credible inputs that information posted, permissions sought, functionality embedded as well as data harvesting practices of above stated Apps raise serious concerns that these Apps collect and share data in surreptitious manner and compromise personal data and information of users that can have a severe threat to security of the State.

In the interest of sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India and security of the State. And using the sovereign powers, the Government of India has decided to block the usage of certain Apps, used in both mobile and non-mobile Internet enabled devices. These apps are listed in the attached appendix.

This move will safeguard the interests of crores of Indian mobile and internet users. This decision is a targeted move to ensure safety, security and sovereignty of Indian cyberspace.

Appendix

1. APUS Launcher Pro- Theme, Live Wallpapers, Smart
2. APUS Launcher -Theme, Call Show, Wallpaper, HideApps
3. APUS Security -Antivirus, Phone security, Cleaner
4. APUS Turbo Cleaner 2020- Junk Cleaner, Anti-Virus
5. APUS Flashlight-Free & Bright
6. Cut Cut – Cut Out & Photo Background Editor
7. Baidu
8. Baidu Express Edition
9. FaceU - Inspire your Beauty
10. ShareSave by Xiaomi: Latest gadgets, amazing deals
11. CamCard - Business Card Reader
12. CamCard Business
13. CamCard for Salesforce
14. CamOCR
15. InNote
16. VooV Meeting - Tencent Video Conferencing
17. Super Clean - Master of Cleaner, Phone Booster
18. WeChat reading
19. Government WeChat
20. Small Q brush
21. Tencent Weiyun
22. Pitu
23. WeChat Work
24. Cyber Hunter
25. Cyber Hunter Lite
26. Knives Out-No rules, just fight!
27. Super Mecha Champions
28. LifeAfter
29. Dawn of Isles
30. Ludo World-Ludo Superstar
31. Chess Rush
32. PUBG MOBILE Nordic Map: Livik
33. PUBG MOBILE LITE
34. Rise of Kingdoms: Lost Crusade
35. Art of Conquest: Dark Horizon
36. Dank Tanks
37. Warpath
38. Game of Sultans
39. Gallery Vault - Hide Pictures And Videos
40. Smart AppLock (App Protect)
41. Message Lock (SMS Lock)-Gallery Vault Developer Team
42. Hide App-Hide Application Icon
43. AppLock
44. AppLock Lite
45. Dual Space - Multiple Accounts & App Cloner
46. ZAKZAK Pro - Live chat & video chat online
47. ZAKZAK LIVE: live-streaming & video chat app
48. Music - Mp3 Player
49. Music Player - Audio Player & 10 Bands Equalizer
50. HD Camera Selfie Beauty Camera
51. Cleaner - Phone Booster
52. Web Browser & Fast Explorer
53. Video Player All Format for Android
54. Photo Gallery HD & Editor
55. Photo Gallery & Album
56. Music Player - Bass Booster - Free Download
57. HD Camera - Beauty Cam with Filters & Panorama
58. HD Camera Pro & Selfie Camera
59. Music Player - MP3 Player & 10 Bands Equalizer
60. Gallery HD
61. Web Browser - Fast, Privacy & Light Web Explorer
62. Web Browser - Secure Explorer
63. Music player - Audio Player
64. Video Player - All Format HD Video Player
65. Lamour Love All Over The World
66. Amour- video chat & call all over the world.
67. MV Master - Make Your Status Video & Community
68. MV Master - Best Video Maker & Photo Video Editor
69. APUS Message Center-Intelligent management
70. LivU Meet new people & Video chat with strangers
71. Carrom Friends : Carrom Board & Pool Game-
72. Ludo All Star- Play Online Ludo Game & Board Games
73. Bike Racing : Moto Traffic Rider Bike Racing Games
74. Rangers Of Oblivion : Online Action MMO RPG Game
75. Z Camera - Photo Editor, Beauty Selfie, Collage
76. GO SMS Pro - Messenger, Free Themes, Emoji
77. U-Dictionary: Oxford Dictionary Free Now Translate
78. Ulike - Define your selfie in trendy style
79. Tantan - Date For Real
80. MICO Chat: New Friends Banaen aur Live Chat karen
81. Kitty Live - Live Streaming & Video Live Chat
82. Malay Social Dating App to Date & Meet Singles
83. Alipay
84. AlipayHK
85. Mobile Taobao
86. Youku
87. Road of Kings- Endless Glory
88. Sina News
89. Netease News
90. Penguin FM
91. Murderous Pursuits
92. Tencent Watchlist (Tencent Technology
93. Learn Chinese AI-Super Chinese
94. HUYA LIVE – Game Live Stream
95. Little Q Album
96. Fighting Landlords - Free and happy Fighting Landlords
97. Hi Meitu
98. Mobile Legends: Pocket
99. VPN for TikTok
100. VPN for TikTok
101. Penguin E-sports Live assistant
102. Buy Cars-offer everything you need, special offers and low prices
103. iPick
104. Beauty Camera Plus - Sweet Camera & Face Selfie
105. Parallel Space Lite - Dual App
106. "Chief Almighty: First Thunder BC
107. MARVEL Super War NetEase Games
108. AFK Arena
109. Creative Destruction NetEase Games
110. Crusaders of Light NetEase Games
111. Mafia City Yotta Games
112. Onmyoji NetEase Games
113. Ride Out Heroes NetEase Games
114. Yimeng Jianghu-Chu Liuxiang has been fully upgraded
115. Legend: Rising Empire NetEase Games
116. Arena of Valor: 5v5 Arena Games
117. Soul Hunters
118. Rules of Survival

India Had More Internet Shutdowns in 2016 Than Any Other Country; Sign The Petition To End This #KeepUsOnline

In what may come as a rude shock to many, the Indian subcontinent experienced more Internet shutdowns in 2016 than any other country on the planet. Not only did these shutdowns cause inconvenience to the citizens of the second largest population in the world, but it also caused them losses to the tune of more than Rs. 6000 crores. Is this the Digital India that the Indian government keeps promoting?

In order to take the stock of the situation and prevent such internet shutdowns in the future, an organisation called Internet Freedom Foundation is floating a petition named Keep Us Online addressed to the Prime Minister of the country, Mr. Narendra Modi.

What are Internet Shutdowns?

The Centre for Communications Governance refers to a shutdown as an, “internet kill switch”. They are an absolute restriction placed on the use of internet services due to an order issued by a government body. It may be limited to a specific place and to specific period, time or number of days. Sometimes it can even extend indefinitely. In fact, an internet shutdown may also be just limited to mobile internet that you one uses on smartphones, or the wired broadband that usually connects a desktop - or both at the same time. Research from Digital Empowerment Foundation shows that Internet shutdowns have become a growing trend - in total numbers and across states in India.

What Are The Common Reasons For Restricting The Use Of The Internet?

The government bodies ordering the shutdowns have time and again claimed that one of the main reasons they turn to shutting down the internet is to respond to concerns about law and order. Some of the other common reasons for the shutdown include ensuring peace during a festival procession and preventing cheating in exams.

What Is The Problem?

Millions of Indian netizens are routinely cut off from the Internet on the whims of some government official, without any rules or oversight.

While the government bodies claim that the shutdowns are aimed at ensuring peace and law and order at the times of riots, there is little evidence present to support this claim. In fact, misinformation spreads like a wild fire in the absence of credible sources; the Internet, like any other mass media, has at various instances proved to be a powerful tool in restoring order. For instance, during the Kaveri riots in 2016, the Bengaluru police used Twitter and WhatsApp effectively to prevent panic and highlight police presence in volatile areas.

According to several activists, majority of times when the government orders internet shutdown, the real objective is to prevent journalists and citizens from sharing evidence of the misconduct or failure of government representatives. What is more appalling is the fact that the consumers are forced to pay the telcos for Internet access even during these repeated shutdowns.

The bottom line is, Internet shutdowns are unnecessary, harmful, and have no place in a democracy. India being the largest democracy in the world needs to address this issue urgently.

What is Keep Us Online?

Keep Us Online is a petition started by the Internet Freedom Foundation drawing the Indian Prime Minister's attention towards Internet shutdowns and the tremendous business loses it is causing. It is demanding the PM to take credible measures to stop this indiscriminate use of power at the hands of government bodies which also disrupts the vision of a Digital India.



The petition, which has also been copied to Manoj Sinha, Minister for Communications and Information Technology; Ravi Shankar Prasad, Minister for Law and Justice and Electronics and Information Technology; Rajnath Singh, Minister for Home Affairs; and Ram Sewak Sharma, Chairman, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India; demand the following measures to be taken:

• Clearly condemn shutdowns: A statement from the Prime Minister’s Office condemning internet shutdowns and committing to ensuring all Indian users are not frustrated in being able to exercise their right to access to the Internet.




• Prevent Section 144 from being used for shutdowns: An interministerial direction to all state governments and Indian Police Service officers expressly stating that using Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure for internet shutdowns is illegal.




• Reform shutdown laws: Ensure that the Constitution and other laws (the Information Technology Act, Telegraph Act) are not unlawfully bypassed to impose internet shutdowns by starting a consultation process to frame specific updated rules under these laws to restrict the ordering of shutdowns.

Born out of the SaveTheInternet.in movement for net neutrality, the Internet Freedom Foundation works on a range of issues including net neutrality, free expression, privacy and innovation.

You can sign the Keep Us Online petition demanding an end to arbitrary shutdowns here.

[Image: huffpost]

India Had More Internet Shutdowns in 2016 Than Any Other Country; Sign The Petition To End This #KeepUsOnline

In what may come as a rude shock to many, the Indian subcontinent experienced more Internet shutdowns in 2016 than any other country on the planet. Not only did these shutdowns cause inconvenience to the citizens of the second largest population in the world, but it also caused them losses to the tune of more than Rs. 6000 crores. Is this the Digital India that the Indian government keeps promoting?

In order to take the stock of the situation and prevent such internet shutdowns in the future, an organisation called Internet Freedom Foundation is floating a petition named Keep Us Online addressed to the Prime Minister of the country, Mr. Narendra Modi.

What are Internet Shutdowns?

The Centre for Communications Governance refers to a shutdown as an, “internet kill switch”. They are an absolute restriction placed on the use of internet services due to an order issued by a government body. It may be limited to a specific place and to specific period, time or number of days. Sometimes it can even extend indefinitely. In fact, an internet shutdown may also be just limited to mobile internet that you one uses on smartphones, or the wired broadband that usually connects a desktop - or both at the same time. Research from Digital Empowerment Foundation shows that Internet shutdowns have become a growing trend - in total numbers and across states in India.

What Are The Common Reasons For Restricting The Use Of The Internet?

The government bodies ordering the shutdowns have time and again claimed that one of the main reasons they turn to shutting down the internet is to respond to concerns about law and order. Some of the other common reasons for the shutdown include ensuring peace during a festival procession and preventing cheating in exams.

What Is The Problem?

Millions of Indian netizens are routinely cut off from the Internet on the whims of some government official, without any rules or oversight.

While the government bodies claim that the shutdowns are aimed at ensuring peace and law and order at the times of riots, there is little evidence present to support this claim. In fact, misinformation spreads like a wild fire in the absence of credible sources; the Internet, like any other mass media, has at various instances proved to be a powerful tool in restoring order. For instance, during the Kaveri riots in 2016, the Bengaluru police used Twitter and WhatsApp effectively to prevent panic and highlight police presence in volatile areas.

According to several activists, majority of times when the government orders internet shutdown, the real objective is to prevent journalists and citizens from sharing evidence of the misconduct or failure of government representatives. What is more appalling is the fact that the consumers are forced to pay the telcos for Internet access even during these repeated shutdowns.

The bottom line is, Internet shutdowns are unnecessary, harmful, and have no place in a democracy. India being the largest democracy in the world needs to address this issue urgently.

What is Keep Us Online?

Keep Us Online is a petition started by the Internet Freedom Foundation drawing the Indian Prime Minister's attention towards Internet shutdowns and the tremendous business loses it is causing. It is demanding the PM to take credible measures to stop this indiscriminate use of power at the hands of government bodies which also disrupts the vision of a Digital India.



The petition, which has also been copied to Manoj Sinha, Minister for Communications and Information Technology; Ravi Shankar Prasad, Minister for Law and Justice and Electronics and Information Technology; Rajnath Singh, Minister for Home Affairs; and Ram Sewak Sharma, Chairman, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India; demand the following measures to be taken:

• Clearly condemn shutdowns: A statement from the Prime Minister’s Office condemning internet shutdowns and committing to ensuring all Indian users are not frustrated in being able to exercise their right to access to the Internet.




• Prevent Section 144 from being used for shutdowns: An interministerial direction to all state governments and Indian Police Service officers expressly stating that using Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure for internet shutdowns is illegal.




• Reform shutdown laws: Ensure that the Constitution and other laws (the Information Technology Act, Telegraph Act) are not unlawfully bypassed to impose internet shutdowns by starting a consultation process to frame specific updated rules under these laws to restrict the ordering of shutdowns.

Born out of the SaveTheInternet.in movement for net neutrality, the Internet Freedom Foundation works on a range of issues including net neutrality, free expression, privacy and innovation.

You can sign the Keep Us Online petition demanding an end to arbitrary shutdowns here.

[Image: huffpost]

Govt. Censored GitHub, Vimeo & 30 Other Websites in India

Multiple reports are coming in about an extremely unusual bout of Internet censoring in India. Sites like GitHub, Vimeo, DailyMotion, Pastebin etc have been blocked by various ISPs across India on the orders of Modi-led Government.

In this bizarre Internet censorship of Indian govt., DoT (Department of Telecom) has issued a notice to various Internet Service Providers in India to block a total of 32 miscellaneous websites in their network. The notice doesn’t state the reason for this move.

Insane! Govt orders blocking of 32 websites including @internetarchive @vimeo @github @pastebin #censorship #FoEx pic.twitter.com/F75ngSGohJ

— Pranesh Prakash (@pranesh_prakash) December 31, 2014

The above tweet was made public by Pranesh Pakesh, a director at the Centre for Internet and Society in Bangalore.

In a recent update about blocking these 32 website in India, The head of the Bharatiya Janata political party has claimed that the sites were listed because they content from ISIS.

Gupta added that those sites which cooperate and remove the suspected ISIS content will be unblocked. Nonetheless, looking in from the outside, it certainly seems like the issue could have been handled in a clearer way that didn’t involved issuing blanket censorship blocks.

Most of the websites in blocking provided by govt. like GitHub, Archive.org are as harmless as PMO India's own website and people are still wandering about the reason for this kind of bizarre censorship. Notably, Github is a site that is used by every 2nd software engineer in the world and consider as back-bone of tech-startups of India.

Github, Vimeo, Dailymotion, Archive.org are used by millions across India and have nothing to do with such malpractices and the censorship of these sites is extremely surprising. While Github is ranked 101 in the word among millions of sites worldwide, Vimeo is ranked 119.

Ironically, Indian govt. in November'14 announced that it is planning to create Github like repository of software that can be created collaboratively and most recently appointed Slideshare co-founder Amit Ranjan to head this open source project. And now this move of government is opposing its own ideas.

Lets hope that Modi-led NDA Government realizes their blunder and works on revoking the censorship as soon as possible.