WHAT ACTORS FEEL

RITEISH DESHMUKH

For me it’s always ‘India First’. Twenty of our brave soldiers were martyred in the Galwan Valley defending our Indian territory. They cannot be and should not be forgotten. I had stopped using Tiktok post the Galwan face off.

MAHHI VIJ

I completely respect this decision and understand that the government must have found this to be the right step ahead. But will banning apps help our soldiers at the border or better our economy is what I want to know as a citizen of India.

RAVI DUBEY

The Indian government is viewing the situation in entirety and I am confident that the decision is taken keeping everything in consideration, especially, the well-being of the nation. I am in complete support of the decision and will stand by it.

VATSAL SHETH

My wife and I have been making some couple videos but we have been sharing it on other platforms, too. I think there is nothing bigger than our country and soldiers. I’m sure the government’s decision is for the good and we will abide by it.

On Monday evening, the Indian government went ahead and decided to ban 59 Chinese applications. While some could see this coming, others were surprised with the move. Popular apps like Tiktok, Shareit, Shein and Wechat, were the ones that have been banned.

Nandikaa Sachdev, a Mumbai-based student is of the opinion that the reason given for banning the apps i.e — “engaging in activities which are prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order,” is a matter of grave concern, and cannot be taken lightly. She says, “I believe that the Chinese could be engaging in cyber activities which could be detrimental to our privacy.”

A few weeks ago, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, hinted that the Chinese were behind numerous cyber attacks that the country was facing.

Moreover, the move to ban the widely popular app Tiktok, is raising eyebrows, for the simple reason that it was voguish. “I am a content creator myself,” says Indore-based professional Shraddha Jandial, adding, “I do believe that what has to go viral will find its ways, Tiktok has been a platform that has taken User Generated Content to a whole new level.” However, many youngsters have one

The Government of India has issued an interim order for the blocking of 59 apps, including Tiktok... We have been invited to meet with concerned government stakeholders for an opportunity to respond and submit clarifications. Tiktok continues to comply with all data privacy and security requirements under Indian law and have not shared any information of our users in India with any foreign government... Further if we are requested to in the future we would not do so. We place the highest importance on user privacy and integrity.

Tiktok has democratized the internet by making it available in 14 Indian languages... question in mind. What about the people who work for these companies in India? What about their jobs? Vedika Palani, a Chennai-based student says, “I’ve seen numerous job postings by Tiktok on Linkedin. I just hope the people who work for the company find new jobs. But this is the time to promote our brands and applications.” Disha Arora, a Delhi-based professional, agrees, and adds, “It is true that apps like Tiktok have changed many lives. But if it is invading privacy, then action had to be taken.”

PHOTOS: SHUTTERSTOCK, AFP AND AP