The PubG ban: The beginning of the end?

The TLDR: The government banned a new list of 118 Chinese apps—including the greatly beloved PubG, which had escaped the axe the first time around. The latest ‘digital strike’—as BJP leaders like to describe it—comes once again in the midst of increasing border tensions with China. When TikTok was banned in June, there was a sense that Sino-Indian relations may have hit a temporary icy patch. But the government’s increasingly aggressive rhetoric may point to something more serious. A new cold war perhaps? If so, there’s a lot more at stake than just a fun app. 

Tell me about the ban

The ban: According to a statement put out by the Information & Technology Ministry, the “malicious apps” have been banned because they “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”—and are therefore “prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order.” 

Point to note: Much like TikTok, this is likely an interim order under TKTK—which allows the government to issue a temporary ban by citing national security.  But in order to challenge the ban, the companies bear the burden of proving they have not committed any of the alleged crimes. And that’s why a number of internet freedom activists are unhappy:

“There is little in terms of evidence on how these apps are threatening the sovereignty, integrity, and defence of India… Arbitrary government power has been exercised here. Remember if today Chinese apps can be banned, tomorrow nothing stops them from banning Indian apps in a similar non-transparent manner.”

Goodbye PubG

Complaints, suggestions or just wanna say hi? Talk to us at talktous@splainer.in