Centre set to ban 138 betting apps, 94 loan lending apps with Chinese links
New Delhi, February 5: The Central government has begun the process of banning and blocking 138 betting apps and 94 loan lending apps with Chinese links on an 'urgent' and 'emergency' basis, according to top government sources on Sunday.
According to reports, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) made the decision based on recommendations from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
According to sources, the MHA recommended to the MeitY this week that these apps be banned and blocked, and the Ministry subsequently initiated the process as per communication.
The decision was made after it was determined that these apps violate Section 69 of the IT Act because they contain material that is detrimental to India's sovereignty and integrity.
The action is based on several complaints of extortion and harassment of common people who had obtained small amounts of loans through the mobile apps operated by those entities and individuals.
It has been learned that these apps are the brainchild of Chinese nationals who hired Indians and made them operational directors.
Also Read | Congress suspends Patiala MP Preneet Kaur for 'anti-party' activities to help BJP
According to reports, desperate people are convinced to take out a loan, only to have the interest rate increased by up to 3,000% per year.
Individuals representing these apps began harassing debtors when they were unable to repay the interest, let alone the entire loan.
They sent them lewd messages, threatening to release their morphed photos and publicly humiliating them with messages to their contacts.
The issue gained attention following a spate of suicides, particularly in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, by those who took out such loans or lost money to betting apps.
According to sources, states such as Telangana, Odisha, and Uttar Pradesh, as well as central intelligence agencies, had then requested that the Union Home Ministry take action against these apps.
- ANI
