UC Browser has been in controversy for a long time now as it was being considered as Chinese spyware. Now it is being reported that Indian government has blacklisted 42 apps for Android and iOS users.
It has been said that these apps are malicious and Chinese spyware, so they must be immediately uninstalled from your smartphone. It has also been advised to make sure that army officers are not using any of these apps.
A report by India Today states that the information has been sent out by the Union Home Ministry after receiving inputs from agencies like the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) and the National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO).
The advisory says-
“As per reliable inputs, a number of Android/iOS apps developed by Chinese developers or having Chinese links are reportedly either spyware or other malicious ware. Use of these apps by our force personnel can be detrimental to data security having implications on the force and national security.”
It is shocking to see that the list of 42 apps has some names which are really very popular among the smartphone users these days. Have a look at the list here.
1. Weibo
2. WeChat
3. SHAREit
4. Truecaller
5. UC News
6. UC Browser
7. BeautyPlus
8. NewsDog
9. VivaVideo- QU Video Inc
10. Parallel Space
11. APUS Browser
12. Perfect Corp
13. Virus Cleaner (Hi Security Lab)
14. CM Browser
15. Mi Community
16. DU recorder
17. Vault-Hide
18. YouCam Makeup
19. Mi Store
20. CacheClear DU apps studio
21. DU Battery Saver
22. DU Cleaner
23. DU Privacy
24. 360 Security
25. DU Browser
26. Clean Master – Cheetah Mobile
27. Baidu Translate
28. Baidu Map
29. Wonder Camera
30. ES File Explorer
31. Photo Wonder
32. QQ International
33. QQ Music
34. QQ Mail
35. QQ Player
36. QQ NewsFeed
37. WeSync
38. QQ Security Centre
39. SelfieCity
40. Mail Master
41. Mi Video call-Xiaomi
42. QQ Launcher
Meanwhile, TrueCaller has issued a clarification-
A Truecaller spokesperson, in a statement to India Today Tech said-
“In response to certain reports, we would like to clarify that we are a Sweden based company. We are not sure why the app is on this list, but we’re investigating. Truecaller is not a malware, and all our features are permission based and are disabled by default.”
What are your thoughts on it?
