spot_img
9 C
London
Thursday, March 28, 2024
spot_img

India adds 54 more Chinese apps to ban list

- Advertisement -spot_imgspot_img

India has blocked access to 54 mobile apps, mainly Chinese but also including Singapore-based Sea Ltd’s (SE.N) “Free Fire” mobile game, over security concerns, government sources said on Tuesday, according to Reuters.

Since the start of political tension with China in 2020 following a border clash, India’s ban list, which initially had 59 Chinese apps, including TikTok, has expanded to cover 321 apps. 

India believes user data was being sent via the apps to servers in China, one of the government sources, who sought anonymity in line with policy, told Reuters.

Such collection would allow the data to be mined, collated, analysed and profiled, potentially by “elements hostile to the sovereignty and integrity of India and for activities detrimental to national security,” the source said.

“Free Fire ban could deliver a double whammy to Sea with lower digital entertainment profitability limiting Sea’s ability to bankroll Shopee’s expansion,” said LightStream Research analyst Oshadhi Kumarasiri, who publishes on Smartkarma research platform.

The “Free Fire” ban could have a revenue impact of between $78 million and $104 million per quarter, he said, adding that it was difficult to rule out the possibility of a similar ban on Shopee.

Sea, a consumer internet firm in which Chinese gaming giant Tencent (0700.HK) holds an 18.7% stake, said on Tuesday it complies with Indian laws and does not transfer or store any data of the country’s users in China.

Tencent did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Sea had on Monday told its shareholders that it was “working through it” (the ban), according to a person who attended its annual general meeting and declined to be named.

Shareholder concerns followed an 18.4% slide in its U.S.-listed shares on Monday following reports that its popular mobile game “Free Fire” is part of India’s list of banned apps.

The rout wiped off more than $16 billion from its market value, while investment firms like Cathie Wood’s ARK Invest took advantage of the slump to scoop up $19 million worth of shares.

The ban spells trouble for Sea as its e-commerce app Shopee already faces boycott calls by traders in India, who have accused it of practices that hurt offline traders.

The Confederation of All India Traders had said on Monday it was “surprised” at Shopee’s absence from the ban list.

- Advertisement -spot_imgspot_img
- Advertisement -spot_imgspot_img
SourceReuters
Latest news
- Advertisement -spot_img
- Advertisement -spot_img
- Advertisement -spot_img
- Advertisement -spot_img
- Advertisement -spot_img
- Advertisement -spot_img
- Advertisement -spot_img
- Advertisement -spot_img
- Advertisement -spot_img
- Advertisement -spot_img
- Advertisement -spot_img
Related news
- Advertisement -spot_img

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here