Another Chinese App Ban: Another Opportunity for India´s Homegrown Apps

The Ministry of electronics and information technology (MeitY) has yet again banned 43 more Chinese mobile apps. This time the axe has fallen on AliExpress, Snack Video, ChinaLove, AliSuppliers Mobile App, Alibaba Workbench, Alipay Cashier, CamCard – Business Card Reader, Chinese Social – Free Online Dating Video App and Chat, Date in Asia – Dating and Chat For Asian Singles, and WeDate-Dating App, among others.

Read more: ´Ban of Chinese apps has given Indian IT experts the space to explore experiment and conquer,´ – Mohandas Pai

The move has once more been announced in the interest of sovereignty, integrity, and security of the nation.

This app ban once more gives India´s homegrown apps an opportunity to lap up the empty spaces in the Indian market, big and small.

Dr. Ajay Data, Founder and CEO of VideoMeet Pvt Ltd., the parent company of homegrown virtual meeting app VideoMeet based in Jaipur, told The Tech Panda that the move is a good one for the Indian ecosystem.

Dr. Ajay Data

It is an opportune time for Indian tech and IT community to work towards making the Indian IT framework more resilient

“It is an opportune time for Indian tech and IT community to work towards making the Indian IT framework more resilient. This support to homegrown apps will help us in going global,” he said.

The central government´s earlier ban on Chinese apps, which included the hugely successful video sharing app, TikTok, created a noticeable gap in the market, which Indian homegrown apps and foreign non-Chinese apps rushed to fill. The current move, once again, is a chance for Aatmanirbhar Bharat to rise, and Indian startups will be welcoming it.

“This is also great for the Aatmanirbhar Bharat mission of Govt of India. We welcome all such decisions that in turn enhance the security of our country and its denizens,” said Data.

Read more: Should a Banned TikTok Benefit from Selling Indian User Data?

While yet another ban is an opportunity for the Indian ecosystem, it remains to be seen who will be able to leverage it. For in the past we have seen foreign non-Chinese apps swooping in with more funding and experience. However, this time Indian apps might be more prepared than before.