The Return of the Banned: Chinese Apps Are Back in India, But There’s a Twist!
🌟 Once Banned, Now Back! The Sneaky Comeback of 36 Chinese Apps
Do you recall the shocking 2020 ban on Chinese apps? Following the conflict in the Galwan Valley, the authorities took drastic measures, blocking more than 200 Chinese apps on grounds of national security. Hold on tight, though, because 36 of these programs are back and more cunning than before!
These apps have made a subtle but powerful comeback to Indian smartphones by changing their names, logos, or ownership information. The App Store and Play Store are once again plagued by the ghosts of the past, which include dating apps, file-sharing tools, and commerce platforms.
📈 Quick Glance: The Apps That Made a Comeback
| Category | Old Name | New Name / Rebranded Version |
|---|---|---|
| File Sharing | Xender | Xender: File Share, Share Music |
| Streaming | Youku | YOUKU-Drama, Film, Show, Anime |
| Shopping | Taobao | Mobile Taobao |
| Dating | Tantan | TanTan – Asian Dating App |
| Fashion | Shein | SHEIN India (via Reliance) |
| Gaming | PUBG Mobile | Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) |
💥 The ‘Sneaky’ Strategy: How Did They Get Back In?
👀 Name Tweaks: While maintaining their essential features, some apps made minor name changes. For instance, Taobao is now known as Mobile Taobao.
🔎 Same Apps, New Owners: A few apps collaborated with Indian businesses to reappear under new ownership. For instance, Shein used Reliance Retail to return.
💀 Clone Wars: Clone versions appeared if they were unable to return directly. To get around prohibitions, these lookalikes use alternative publisher names but identical branding.
🌐 Cross-border Hosting: In an effort to avoid criticism for data security concerns, some apps now house their servers outside of China.
🌟 Who’s Behind These Comebacks?
Surprise! Not all these apps are still under Chinese ownership. Here’s a breakdown of the developers of these 36 apps:
| Country | Number of Apps |
|---|---|
| China | 13 |
| India | 8 |
| Singapore | 3 |
| Vietnam | 2 |
| South Korea | 1 |
| Japan | 1 |
| Bangladesh | 1 |
While China still holds a significant share, it’s interesting to see that developers from India and other Asian countries have played a role in these apps’ resurrection.
🤔 The Big Question: Is TikTok Coming Back?
TikTok is among the most well-known companies that are absent from the list of returnees. There has been no official confirmation of ByteDance’s alleged lobbying of the Indian government for a return.
🔍 Why isn’t TikTok doing this?
TikTok hasn’t yet found an Indian partner, in contrast to Shein or PUBG.
India is under increased pressure to keep TikTok out of the country as the United States considers banning it.
Because TikTok is still closely associated with China, data security concerns are still present.
Never say never, though, since the right offer at the right moment could lead to TikTok’s comeback.
🚀 What This Means for Users (And the Government!)
🔒 Security Concerns: Many of these apps were originally banned for leaking data to Chinese servers. Are the new versions safer? Only time will tell!
🏋️♂️ More Choices for Users: Love PUBG? Need Shein’s trendy fashion? This comeback means more options for users who missed these platforms.
📏 Diplomatic Drama: The apps’ return coincides with warming relations between India and China post-border tensions. Coincidence? We think not!
💬 What Do You Think?
Do you think these apps deserve a second chance? Or should India double down on banning them forever? Drop your thoughts in the comments! 💥
📰 FAQ: Everything You Need to Know
❓ Are these apps completely safe now?
Not necessarily. While some have made efforts to comply with Indian laws, data security concerns still exist. Always check app permissions before downloading.
❓ How did Shein return despite the ban?
Shein made a comeback via a licensing deal with Reliance Retail. All user data is now stored in India.
❓ Can TikTok return to India?
Not yet. TikTok has failed to reach an agreement with Indian authorities so far.
❓ Is PUBG really “Indian” now?
Kinda. PUBG Mobile was relaunched as Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI) by South Korea’s Krafton Inc., but China’s Tencent still owns a stake.
Final Thoughts: Is This the Start of a Bigger Comeback?
Will the remaining apps follow the 36 that have already returned? Will WeChat, UC Browser, or TikTok infiltrate India once more? Or will the Indian government impose harsher measures?
This digital drama is far from over, so stay tuned!🚀🎨
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