India's decision to ban 59 Chinese apps will have a significant impact on one of China's most promising sectors. It could trigger similar retaliatory moves around the world. WION's Palki Sharma tells you how India's decision sets a precedent in the global war against China.

Gravitas: India's firewall against China's digital infiltration

Huawei is a global leader in 5G technology. But right now, it is on target of several world leaders - as the negative sentiment against China grows. A report has claimed that Indian leaders recently discussed if Huawei should be allowed in India or not. WION's Palki Sharma tells you why India needs to rethink Huawei's participation.

Gravitas: India bans Chinese apps | Is Huawei next?

In an unprecedented move, India on Monday (June 29) banned 59 Chinese mobile apps including TikTok, UC Browser and Cam Scanner among others.

Govt of India bans 59 Chinese apps including TikTok, Shareit, Xender

Beijing's first reaction to India's ban on 59 Chinese apps

China has strongly reacted to India’s move to ban 59 mobile applications, most of which are linked to China. The Indian government’s decision was based on security concerns.

China 'Strongly Concerned' about India's app ban: China Foreign Ministry

India officially bans Chinese apps including TikTok: Here are the top 10!

The Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) has ordered its personnel to uninstall 52 “dubious” Chinese apps from their mobile phones immediately amid tensions escalated due to the India-China violent face-off which led to the killing of 20 Indian Army soldiers.

Inspector General, STF, Amitabh Yash, in a circular issued here on Friday, directed the STF personnel to also ensure that these Chinese apps were uninstalled by their family members as well.&nbsp;

"All the personnel of the STF, Uttar Pradesh are directed to immediately remove the following android apps from their mobile phones as well as that of their family members," Inspector General (STF), Uttar Pradesh said.

These apps included TikTok, UC Browser, Hello, WeChat, Shareit among others.

There are five video sharing apps in this list and it is interesting that most of the Chinese smartphone companies offer some of these apps in their smartphones. These apps are – Tick Talk, Vigo Video, Bigo Live, Weibo, We Chat, Hello and Like. Apart from this, many e-commerce apps are also included. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

The Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) has ordered its personnel to uninstall 52 “dubious” Chinese apps from their mobile phones immediately amid tensions escalated due to the India-China violent face-off which led to the killing of 20 Indian Army soldiers.

The Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) has ordered its personnel to uninstall 52 “dubious” Chinese apps from their mobile phones immediately amid tensions escalated due to the India-China violent face-off which led to the killing of 20 Indian Army soldiers. Inspector General, STF, Amitabh Yash, in a circular issued here on Friday, directed the STF personnel to also ensure that these Chinese apps were uninstalled by their family members as well. "All the personnel of the STF, Uttar Pradesh are directed to immediately remove the following android apps from their mobile phones as well as that of their family members," Inspector General (STF), Uttar Pradesh said. These apps included TikTok, UC Browser, Hello, WeChat, Shareit among others. There are five video sharing apps in this list and it is interesting that most of the Chinese smartphone companies offer some of these apps in their smartphones. These apps are – Tick Talk, Vigo Video, Bigo Live, Weibo, We Chat, Hello and Like. Apart from this, many e-commerce apps are also included. (With inputs from agencies)

Immediately remove 52 Chinese apps from your phone, orders Uttar Pradesh STF to employees

Video conferencing app Zoom&nbsp;closed the account of exiled dissidents in the US&nbsp;after they held a Zoom event commemorating the&nbsp;31st anniversary of the June 4 Tiananmen&nbsp;Square Massacre.

The event on May 31 saw participants dial in from China to listen to the testimonies of a number of people tied to the events of June 4, including the mother of a slain protester, a Beijing resident imprisoned for 17 years for his participation, and multiple exiled student leaders.

On June 7, organisers discovered that the paid Zoom account that they set up for the forum had been disabled, said Zhou Fengsuo, a US-based human rights activist and president of Humanitarian China, the group that hosted the event.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/more-than-500000-accounts-on-zoom-app-sold-to-hackers-292446">More than 500,000 accounts on Zoom app sold to hackers</a>

A statement from Zoom, which is accessible from within China without a VPN, suggested that it had taken the action because participants joining the conference from China had violated ''local laws''.

''We aim to limit the actions we take to those necessary to comply with local law and continuously review and improve our process on these matters.''

The activists voiced outrage, saying the company may have been under direct pressure from China’s communist leaders.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/zoom-video-conferencing-app-admits-it-routed-calls-through-china-by-mistake-290937">Zoom, video-conferencing app admits it routed calls through China by mistake&nbsp;</a>

''If so, Zoom is complicit in erasing the memories of the Tiananmen massacre in collaboration with an authoritarian government,'' Humanitarian&nbsp;China&nbsp;said in a statement.

Zoom reported on Tuesday that its&nbsp;earnings had soared<a data-link-name="in body link" href="https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2020/jun/03/zoom-booms-as-teleconferencing-company-profits-from-coronavirus-crisis">&nbsp;</a>in the quarter ending 30 April as companies and individuals, cooped up inside due to Covid-19 lockdowns, embraced the platform to meet online.

Its rapid growth has not been without previous problems, with the company forced to confront a rash of unwelcome gatecrashers who hacked into Zoom sessions.

Beijing has developed a sophisticated “Great Firewall” that aims to keep out news that is damaging to the leadership.

Authorities go to extraordinary lengths each year to ban commemorations of the Tiananmen crackdown, in which the military killed hundreds of unarmed protesters – by some estimates, more than 1,000 – who had packed the capital to seek reform.

It called Zoom an “essential” resource in reaching audiences inside China, which rigorously enforces censorship.

Video conferencing app Zoom closed the account of exiled dissidents in the US after they held a Zoom event commemorating the 31st anniversary of the June 4 Tiananmen Square Massacre.

Video conferencing app Zoom closed the account of exiled dissidents in the US after they held a Zoom event commemorating the 31st anniversary of the June 4 Tiananmen Square Massacre. The event on May 31 saw participants dial in from China to listen to the testimonies of a number of people tied to the events of June 4, including the mother of a slain protester, a Beijing resident imprisoned for 17 years for his participation, and multiple exiled student leaders. On June 7, organisers discovered that the paid Zoom account that they set up for the forum had been disabled, said Zhou Fengsuo, a US-based human rights activist and president of Humanitarian China, the group that hosted the event. Also read: More than 500,000 accounts on Zoom app sold to hackers A statement from Zoom, which is accessible from within China without a VPN, suggested that it had taken the action because participants joining the conference from China had violated ''local laws''. ''We aim to limit the actions we take to those necessary to comply with local law and continuously review and improve our process on these matters.'' The activists voiced outrage, saying the company may have been under direct pressure from China’s communist leaders. Also read: Zoom, video-conferencing app admits it routed calls through China by mistake ''If so, Zoom is complicit in erasing the memories of the Tiananmen massacre in collaboration with an authoritarian government,'' Humanitarian China said in a statement. Zoom reported on Tuesday that its earnings had soared in the quarter ending 30 April as companies and individuals, cooped up inside due to Covid-19 lockdowns, embraced the platform to meet online. Its rapid growth has not been without previous problems, with the company forced to confront a rash of unwelcome gatecrashers who hacked into Zoom sessions. Beijing has developed a sophisticated “Great Firewall” that aims to keep out news that is damaging to the leadership. Authorities go to extraordinary lengths each year to ban commemorations of the Tiananmen crackdown, in which the military killed hundreds of unarmed protesters – by some estimates, more than 1,000 – who had packed the capital to seek reform. It called Zoom an “essential” resource in reaching audiences inside China, which rigorously enforces censorship.

Zoom shuts account of US-based Chinese dissidents after Tiananmen anniversary meeting

Google has taken down 'Remove China Apps' from its Play store. The top-trending app was being used by Indians to remove Chinese applications from their cell phone. Is Google dancing to China's tunes? WION's Palki Sharma gets you a report.

Gravitas: Does China control Google and Apple?

Google has pulled down 'Remove China Apps' from the playstore. The app which claims to help users identify and remove Chinese apps from smartphones had become hit among Indian users. Watch report.

'Remove China Apps' taken down from playstore | Google

Alphabet Inc's Google has taken down an Indian mobile application from its app store that allowed users to remove other Chinese apps from their phones as it violated certain company policies, a spokesman said on Wednesday.

The app, "Remove China Apps", had become top trending free app on Google's mobile app store in India with more than five million downloads since late May. Its popularity rose amid calls for a boycott of Chinese mobile apps in India during a Himalayan border dispute between the two nations.

A Google spokesman confirmed to Reuters the app had been removed due to violation of app store policies, but gave no further details.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/as-anti-china-sentiments-grow-over-1-million-download-remove-china-apps-302322">Also read |&nbsp;As anti-China sentiments grow, over 1 million download 'Remove China Apps'</a>

A person familiar with the matter said the software violated Google's policies prohibiting apps that mislead users into removing or disabling third-party apps or modifying device settings or features.

Remove China Apps scanned users' phones for apps such as ByteDance's TikTok and Alibaba's UC Browser. Once deleted, a message popped up saying "You are awesome, no China app found."

OneTouch AppLabs, which developed the app, did not respond to a request for comment. On its website it confirmed the app had been removed and thanked users for their support.

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Many Indians and a spokeswoman for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ruling party have used the hash tag #BoycottChineseProducts on social media, calling for deletion of popular Chinese apps.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/remove-china-apps-tool-to-delete-chinese-apps-from-phone-goes-viral-in-india-302701">Also read |&nbsp;Google takes down Indian app that removed Chinese ones</a>

Alphabet Inc's Google has taken down an Indian mobile application from its app store that allowed users to remove other Chinese apps from their phones as it violated certain company policies, a spokesman said on Wednesday.

Alphabet Inc's Google has taken down an Indian mobile application from its app store that allowed users to remove other Chinese apps from their phones as it violated certain company policies, a spokesman said on Wednesday. The app, "Remove China Apps", had become top trending free app on Google's mobile app store in India with more than five million downloads since late May. Its popularity rose amid calls for a boycott of Chinese mobile apps in India during a Himalayan border dispute between the two nations. A Google spokesman confirmed to Reuters the app had been removed due to violation of app store policies, but gave no further details. Also read | As anti-China sentiments grow, over 1 million download 'Remove China Apps' A person familiar with the matter said the software violated Google's policies prohibiting apps that mislead users into removing or disabling third-party apps or modifying device settings or features. Remove China Apps scanned users' phones for apps such as ByteDance's TikTok and Alibaba's UC Browser. Once deleted, a message popped up saying "You are awesome, no China app found." OneTouch AppLabs, which developed the app, did not respond to a request for comment. On its website it confirmed the app had been removed and thanked users for their support. × Many Indians and a spokeswoman for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ruling party have used the hash tag #BoycottChineseProducts on social media, calling for deletion of popular Chinese apps. Also read | Google takes down Indian app that removed Chinese ones

Google takes down Indian app that removed Chinese ones

An android application that deletes all Chinese apps from a smartphone has been downloaded over 50 lakh times. WION's Palki Sharma tells you how netizens have kicked off the #BoycottChina campaign.

Gravitas: #BoycottChina trend gains traction

The Chinese video-sharing app TikTok is pressurizing moderators to suppress videos from users deemed too ugly, poor or disabled, as part of the company’s efforts to curate an aspirational air in the videos it promotes.

Moderators were also told to censor political speech in TikTok live streams, punishing those who harmed ''national honour''&nbsp;or broadcast streams about ''state organs such as police''&nbsp;with bans from the platform, according&nbsp;to&nbsp;new documents published by The Intercept.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-senators-move-bill-to-ban-federal-employees-from-using-tiktok-285930">US Senators move bill to ban federal employees from using TikTok</a>

The documents exposed that the moderators were told that videos were to be removed from the feed if “the shooting environment is shabby and dilapidated”, since ''this kind of environment is less fancy and aesthetically unappealing''.

These previously unreported Chinese policy documents provide new details about the company's efforts to enforce rigid constraints across its users while it simultaneously attempts to bolster its image as a global paragon of self-expression creativity.&nbsp;

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tiktok-accused-in-california-lawsuit-of-sending-user-data-to-china-265867">TikTok accused of sending user data to China in California lawsuit</a>

A TikTok spokesperson said the goal was to prevent bullying on the platform, tying the document to&nbsp;a report from December&nbsp;that showed that the company was suppressing vulnerable users’ videos in a misguided effort to prevent them from becoming the centre of attention that could turn sour.&nbsp;

TikTok is owned by Beijing-based tech unicorn Bytedance.

Other documents published by The Intercept show the extent of TikTok’s former rules requiring moderators to enforce Chinese foreign policy overseas.

The site published the company’s live streaming policies, which instruct moderators to take down ''controversial content''&nbsp;that promotes the independence of Taiwan.

The Chinese video-sharing app TikTok is pressurizing moderators to suppress videos from users deemed too ugly, poor or disabled, as part of the company’s efforts to curate an aspirational air in the videos it promotes.

The Chinese video-sharing app TikTok is pressurizing moderators to suppress videos from users deemed too ugly, poor or disabled, as part of the company’s efforts to curate an aspirational air in the videos it promotes. Moderators were also told to censor political speech in TikTok live streams, punishing those who harmed ''national honour'' or broadcast streams about ''state organs such as police'' with bans from the platform, according to new documents published by The Intercept. Also read: US Senators move bill to ban federal employees from using TikTok The documents exposed that the moderators were told that videos were to be removed from the feed if “the shooting environment is shabby and dilapidated”, since ''this kind of environment is less fancy and aesthetically unappealing''. These previously unreported Chinese policy documents provide new details about the company's efforts to enforce rigid constraints across its users while it simultaneously attempts to bolster its image as a global paragon of self-expression creativity. Also read: TikTok accused of sending user data to China in California lawsuit A TikTok spokesperson said the goal was to prevent bullying on the platform, tying the document to a report from December that showed that the company was suppressing vulnerable users’ videos in a misguided effort to prevent them from becoming the centre of attention that could turn sour. TikTok is owned by Beijing-based tech unicorn Bytedance. Other documents published by The Intercept show the extent of TikTok’s former rules requiring moderators to enforce Chinese foreign policy overseas. The site published the company’s live streaming policies, which instruct moderators to take down ''controversial content'' that promotes the independence of Taiwan.

TikTok coercing moderators to 'filter out videos from ugly, poor or disabled users'

China's strategy is clear. It enters every country, every market, every sector where it can get even a toehold.

But it doesn't allow entry to others. China keeps itself insulated, pulls 'an iron curtain' on technology.&nbsp;

On WION Edit, we'll discuss this skewed free market formula that china uses and how it impacts India. China, under MAO, had a closed market, but now America is becoming protectionist.

And communist China is trying to sell itself as the torchbearer of globalisation. This is just propaganda, the reality is very different.

China's free market formula is simple, it wants free access to other markets, but blocks access to its own market.&nbsp;

Look at the offerings: 
Apps 
Cab Aggregators 
Search Engines 
Social Media 
Health &amp; Education Platforms 
Even Online Retailers and Payments platforms - the long arm of China extends everywhere and India is a major target. How can India beat this model? 
 
Forget about gaining soft power, at least to protect self-interests, India must find a way.

Why are Chinese payment Apps promoted and used when India has its own UPI Bhim App? Why have we allowed Chinese Apps in the education sector in India?

Why are cheap Chinese smartphones ruling the Indian markets? Why can't India produce its own smartphones? It's bewildering because India has skilled labour and raw material.

But here's what's happening. Ignorant consumerism is exposing Indian markets to Chinese Apps.

This is not anti-China rhetoric. Let me ask this question, would China allow digital products like smartphones and apps of foreign origin at home?

The answer is no.&nbsp;

China's leverage is growing like a juggernaut in India. And the primary reason is the lack of entrepreneurship and investment in building domestic products.&nbsp;

The government must make it easy for young entrepreneurs of India to innovate and evolve domestic tech products. This will serve three purposes - Young Indians will find employment, the economy will get a boost, and India will be able to weather the Chinese tech storm.&nbsp;

Indian internet space cannot be a battleground for China and the US. It's time to make our own Apps and prevent the preventable.

The other way to protect self-interest is to go for data localisation. This was flagged by none other than the Reserve Bank of India last year.

Data breaches are a big worry, they can be prevented but for that, payments Apps must store data locally.

There is an important Bill before Parliament too - the Personal Data Bill. This Bill seeks to punish apps that violate privacy.

In a nutshell, empower Indian innovators, crackdown on privacy violation, punish the firms that flout rules and ensure that Indian data is stored in India.&nbsp; 
 
(Disclaimer: WION Edit is the channel's take on the big events of the world) 
&nbsp;

China's strategy is clear. It enters every country, every market, every sector where it can get even a toehold. But it doesn't allow entry to others. China keeps itself insulated, pulls 'an iron curtain' on technology.

China's strategy is clear. It enters every country, every market, every sector where it can get even a toehold. But it doesn't allow entry to others. China keeps itself insulated, pulls 'an iron curtain' on technology. On WION Edit, we'll discuss this skewed free market formula that china uses and how it impacts India. China, under MAO, had a closed market, but now America is becoming protectionist. And communist China is trying to sell itself as the torchbearer of globalisation. This is just propaganda, the reality is very different. China's free market formula is simple, it wants free access to other markets, but blocks access to its own market. Look at the offerings: Apps Cab Aggregators Search Engines Social Media Health & Education Platforms Even Online Retailers and Payments platforms - the long arm of China extends everywhere and India is a major target. How can India beat this model? Forget about gaining soft power, at least to protect self-interests, India must find a way. Why are Chinese payment Apps promoted and used when India has its own UPI Bhim App? Why have we allowed Chinese Apps in the education sector in India? Why are cheap Chinese smartphones ruling the Indian markets? Why can't India produce its own smartphones? It's bewildering because India has skilled labour and raw material. But here's what's happening. Ignorant consumerism is exposing Indian markets to Chinese Apps. This is not anti-China rhetoric. Let me ask this question, would China allow digital products like smartphones and apps of foreign origin at home? The answer is no. China's leverage is growing like a juggernaut in India. And the primary reason is the lack of entrepreneurship and investment in building domestic products. The government must make it easy for young entrepreneurs of India to innovate and evolve domestic tech products. This will serve three purposes - Young Indians will find employment, the economy will get a boost, and India will be able to weather the Chinese tech storm. Indian internet space cannot be a battleground for China and the US. It's time to make our own Apps and prevent the preventable. The other way to protect self-interest is to go for data localisation. This was flagged by none other than the Reserve Bank of India last year. Data breaches are a big worry, they can be prevented but for that, payments Apps must store data locally. There is an important Bill before Parliament too - the Personal Data Bill. This Bill seeks to punish apps that violate privacy. In a nutshell, empower Indian innovators, crackdown on privacy violation, punish the firms that flout rules and ensure that Indian data is stored in India. (Disclaimer: WION Edit is the channel's take on the big events of the world)

WION Edit: How can India prevent China's app invasion?

How viral Chinese app is using deepfake tech to morph faces triggering privacy concerns

After the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/ban-chinese-video-app-tiktok-madras-high-court-to-government-207807">Madras High Court called for a ban</a> on the video app TikTok, China's Bytedance Technology Co said in a request to the Supreme Court to quash the directive.

Bytedance which is one of the world's most valuable start-ups. The company's TikTok app lets users create and share short videos with special effects. It has become popular in rural India.

TikTok, whose video-only interface makes it easier to use than platforms such as Facebook or Twitter, has been downloaded more than 240 million times in India, says app analytics firm Sensor Tower.

A ban "amounts to curtailing of the rights of the citizens of India...who have been using the platform everyday to express themselves and create content," the company said in a court filing, asking for the order to be quashed.

The company's Monday filing is not public and has not previously been reported. The Supreme Court has set next Monday for a hearing.

Bytedance did not respond to a request for comment. India's information technology ministry also did not respond.

Last week, the Madras High Court had asked the federal government to ban TikTok, saying it encouraged pornography and made child users vulnerable to sexual predators.

TikTok's inappropriate content was a dangerous aspect of the app, it added.

Bytedance said users flagged only a tiny proportion of TikTok videos, showing that a "very minuscule" proportion of its content was considered inappropriate or obscene. TikTok was primarily used to circulate amusing videos, it added.

It also argued that it could not be held liable for content posted by users.

In its filing, the company said TikTok had experienced immense success in India, which fuelled controversy. Bytedance employs more than 250 people in India and plans more investment as it expands the business, it added.

After the Madras High Court called for a ban on the video app TikTok, China's Bytedance Technology Co said in a request to the Supreme Court to quash the directive.

After the Madras High Court called for a ban on the video app TikTok, China's Bytedance Technology Co said in a request to the Supreme Court to quash the directive. Bytedance which is one of the world's most valuable start-ups. The company's TikTok app lets users create and share short videos with special effects. It has become popular in rural India. TikTok, whose video-only interface makes it easier to use than platforms such as Facebook or Twitter, has been downloaded more than 240 million times in India, says app analytics firm Sensor Tower. A ban "amounts to curtailing of the rights of the citizens of India...who have been using the platform everyday to express themselves and create content," the company said in a court filing, asking for the order to be quashed. The company's Monday filing is not public and has not previously been reported. The Supreme Court has set next Monday for a hearing. Bytedance did not respond to a request for comment. India's information technology ministry also did not respond. Last week, the Madras High Court had asked the federal government to ban TikTok, saying it encouraged pornography and made child users vulnerable to sexual predators. TikTok's inappropriate content was a dangerous aspect of the app, it added. Bytedance said users flagged only a tiny proportion of TikTok videos, showing that a "very minuscule" proportion of its content was considered inappropriate or obscene. TikTok was primarily used to circulate amusing videos, it added. It also argued that it could not be held liable for content posted by users. In its filing, the company said TikTok had experienced immense success in India, which fuelled controversy. Bytedance employs more than 250 people in India and plans more investment as it expands the business, it added.

Ban will amount to curtailing rights of citizens of India: TikTok to court

The Madras High Court on Wednesday asked the government to ban Chinese video app TikTok, saying it was "encouraging pornography".

Created by Beijing Bytedance Technology Co, TikTok allows users to create and share short videos with special effects. It has become hugely popular in rural India.

Jokes, clips and footage related to India's thriving movie industry dominate the platform, along with memes and videos in which youngsters, some scantily clad, lip-sync and dance to popular music.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iCB0fMjhXzQ" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Earlier, IT minister of Tamil Nadu had described some of its more suggestive dance content as "unbearable".

The Madras High Court, which has been hearing a public interest litigation against the app, on Wednesday said children who were using TikTok were vulnerable to exposure to sexual predators.

"Inappropriate" content was TikTok's "dangerous aspect", the court said in an order, adding that "there is a possibility of the children contacting strangers directly".

A TikTok spokesman said the company was committed to abiding by local laws and was awaiting a copy of the court’s order, following which it would take appropriate action.

"Maintaining a safe and positive in-app environment ... is our priority," he said.

As well as asking the government to ban the application and prohibit its downloads, the court said TikTok videos should not be broadcast by media.

TikTok, whose video-only interface makes it less elaborate and easier to use than platforms such as Facebook or Twitter, has been downloaded more than 240 million times in India, according to app analytics firm Sensor Tower.

The Madras High Court on Wednesday asked the government to ban Chinese video app TikTok, saying it was "encouraging pornography". Created by Beijing Bytedance Technology Co, TikTok allows users to create and share short videos with special effects.

The Madras High Court on Wednesday asked the government to ban Chinese video app TikTok, saying it was "encouraging pornography". Created by Beijing Bytedance Technology Co, TikTok allows users to create and share short videos with special effects. It has become hugely popular in rural India. Jokes, clips and footage related to India's thriving movie industry dominate the platform, along with memes and videos in which youngsters, some scantily clad, lip-sync and dance to popular music. Earlier, IT minister of Tamil Nadu had described some of its more suggestive dance content as "unbearable". The Madras High Court, which has been hearing a public interest litigation against the app, on Wednesday said children who were using TikTok were vulnerable to exposure to sexual predators. "Inappropriate" content was TikTok's "dangerous aspect", the court said in an order, adding that "there is a possibility of the children contacting strangers directly". A TikTok spokesman said the company was committed to abiding by local laws and was awaiting a copy of the court’s order, following which it would take appropriate action. "Maintaining a safe and positive in-app environment ... is our priority," he said. As well as asking the government to ban the application and prohibit its downloads, the court said TikTok videos should not be broadcast by media. TikTok, whose video-only interface makes it less elaborate and easier to use than platforms such as Facebook or Twitter, has been downloaded more than 240 million times in India, according to app analytics firm Sensor Tower.

Ban Chinese video app TikTok: Madras High Court to government

A popular Chinese dating app for lesbians has been shut down, along with its website and main social media account, just as the gay community celebrates Taiwan&#39;s decision giving same-sex couples the right to marry, a first for Asia.

The app, Rela, set up in 2012, has around 5 million registered users, a cached version of its entry on Apple&#39;s iTunes site shows.

But users began noticing last week that the app, along with its Twitter-like Weibo account and website, was no longer accessible, according to users posting on Weibo under the hashtags #rela and #relahasbeenblocked.

The service was temporarily suspended due to an &quot;important adjustment in service,&quot; Rela told users on its WeChat app account.

&quot;Rela has always been with you and please await its return!&quot; it added, but gave no details of why it was suspending service.

&quot;This is discrimination against us lesbians,&quot; wrote one user on Weibo.

&quot;Not being able to open it feels like being jilted,&quot; wrote another.

It was not immediately clear why Rela has been shut down.

The company did not respond to an email seeking comment. Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Internet regulator the Cyberspace Administration of China also did not immediately respond to a faxed request for comment on Monday, which is a national holiday.

In the past, the government has blocked sites it deems could challenge Communist Party rule or threaten stability, including Western sites such as Facebook and Google&#39;s main search engine and Gmail service.

It is not illegal to be gay in China, although the country regarded homosexuality as a mental disorder until 2001. Many large cities have thriving gay scenes, but gay individuals still face a lot of family pressure to get married and have children.

Gay activists say deeply conservative attitudes towards homosexuality in some parts of society have contributed to occasional government clampdowns.

In April, another gay Chinese dating app, Zank, was also shut down after operating for about four years.

In a message on its Weibo account, which is still available, Zank said it had been accused by the internet regulator of broadcasting pornographic content and so had been closed down.

Still, gay dating apps are big business, even for Chinese companies.

Last week Beijing Kunlun Tech said it would buy the remaining stake in global gay dating app Grindr that it did not own.

(Reuters)

The app has around 5 million registered users

A popular Chinese dating app for lesbians has been shut down, along with its website and main social media account, just as the gay community celebrates Taiwan's decision giving same-sex couples the right to marry, a first for Asia. The app, Rela, set up in 2012, has around 5 million registered users, a cached version of its entry on Apple's iTunes site shows. But users began noticing last week that the app, along with its Twitter-like Weibo account and website, was no longer accessible, according to users posting on Weibo under the hashtags #rela and #relahasbeenblocked. The service was temporarily suspended due to an "important adjustment in service," Rela told users on its WeChat app account. "Rela has always been with you and please await its return!" it added, but gave no details of why it was suspending service. "This is discrimination against us lesbians," wrote one user on Weibo. "Not being able to open it feels like being jilted," wrote another. It was not immediately clear why Rela has been shut down. The company did not respond to an email seeking comment. Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Internet regulator the Cyberspace Administration of China also did not immediately respond to a faxed request for comment on Monday, which is a national holiday. In the past, the government has blocked sites it deems could challenge Communist Party rule or threaten stability, including Western sites such as Facebook and Google's main search engine and Gmail service. It is not illegal to be gay in China, although the country regarded homosexuality as a mental disorder until 2001. Many large cities have thriving gay scenes, but gay individuals still face a lot of family pressure to get married and have children. Gay activists say deeply conservative attitudes towards homosexuality in some parts of society have contributed to occasional government clampdowns. In April, another gay Chinese dating app, Zank, was also shut down after operating for about four years. In a message on its Weibo account, which is still available, Zank said it had been accused by the internet regulator of broadcasting pornographic content and so had been closed down. Still, gay dating apps are big business, even for Chinese companies. Last week Beijing Kunlun Tech said it would buy the remaining stake in global gay dating app Grindr that it did not own. (Reuters)

Popular Chinese lesbian dating app Rela removed from internet

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