India’s decision to ban over 100 Chinese apps including the popular PUBG mobile game app signals that more Chinese products may fall by the wayside if the country does not mend its ways. PUBG was a notable omission in the last batch of nearly 60 apps that were banned along with TikTok. The Indian action is a blow to China, not just because of the huge Indian market and avenues to port away Indian data to Chinese shores, but the salutary effect it is having on other world nations that China has antagonised, especially the United States.
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The onus is on China to end its provocative actions at the Line of Actual Control at a time when India is battling a coronavirus pandemic that China aggravated with its secretive actions. The ouster of Chinese apps is an opportunity for Indian startups to up their game. India must also pass a data protection law that will safeguard citizens’ privacy and give further teeth to surreptitious outflow of Indian data to enemy shores. Government must also prepare for various cyber security attack scenarios that could be mounted in retaliation.
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