INDIA’S STAND VINDICATED
Indian government banned TikTok and scores of other Chinese-made apps in June 2020 on the grounds that the same were posing danger to the country. It was said that the aforesaid apps were prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order. This decision taken by the Indian government has slowly and steadily vindicated as similar orders have been issued in the United States as the country has also banned this Chinese video app after apprehensions on security concerns and data breach. In this context, moving a step further now reportedly the US House of Representatives Committee on House Administration has also announced a ban on TikTok from all House-managed mobile devices endorsing what the Indian Government has been claiming since over last two years. China’s dubious character is proving detrimental for its economy with more and more nations becoming skeptic over its moves which are suspicious and a great threat to the security of nations across the world. In this regard, a memo has been issued by House Chief Administrative Officer citing number of security risks and asking the US House staffers not to download TikTok on House devices and also to delete the app from any mobile device onto which it is currently downloaded. With this decision, the US House joins the list of a number of government entities that have already imposed the ban on the Chinese-owned social media app. Already the federal employees have been directed not to download or use the application on government devices. Besides several states of the United States, including Texas, Georgia, Maryland, South Dakota, South Carolina and Nebraska have banned TikTok from government devices and the US military is also toeing the same line making it amply clear that India is also on the right track by banning several Chinese apps including the TikTok. Looking into all this, there is dire need that the government should keep a track on all such apps which have overt or covert links with the Dragon nation because today it has become a big threat for India as the border disputes are becoming a new norm and the military level talks to diffuse the tensions are not bearing any fruits.6