New Delhi: Days after banning 59 Chinese applications over national security concerns, the government on Monday banned another 47 Chinese apps and is further planning to ban 275 more such apps, speculations are rife. Also Read - Is PUBG Set to Be Banned in India? Gamers Are Scared After 275 Chinese Apps Are on the Radar
As per an ET report, the new list consists of 275 apps that can face the wrath of the government. Sources have said that the government is examining the list of over 250 Chinese apps that are under scanner for violation of national security and user privacy
One of these apps is PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG) which is extremely popular in India. In India alone, the app boasts of over 175 million downloads, however, the app has often been criticised for its addictive nature and blamed for suicides. However, the government is considering a ban on the battle royale format game over data security concerns
Back in 2017, PlayerUnknown's Battleground was initially made available for Microsoft Windows via the Steam store. The game was developed and published by PUBG Corporation, a subsidiary of South Korean video game company Bluehole.
However, later, the Korean developer partnered with China's biggest gaming company which is Tencent, to enter the gaming market in China. Tencent Games is a part of Tencent Holdings, which is a Chinese multinational conglomerate. Tencent was the one to introduce the mobile version of PUBG MOBILE, and that somehow makes it a Chinese app.
Gamers are scared
These speculations have come like a nightmare for PUBG lovers and gamers who are drowning their sorrow in memes:
Last month, India had banned 59 Chinese mobile applications including the widely-used social media platforms such as TikTok, WeChat, and Helo within view of the threat to the nation's sovereignty and security.
Earlier this month, Pakistan, too banned PUBG on the grounds of addictive nature of the game that is detrimental to the player's health.