Government bans over 100 betting and lending apps

Mobile applications ease the lives of users. So, several mobile applications emerge daily. However, many applications do not focus on the privacy and security of users.

In this context, the government focuses on the apps that are a threat to users and bans them from time to time.

Now, the government has blocked 138 betting and 94 loan apps, saying that they are posing threat to the financial security of the nation. In addition, these apps are involved in money laundering. Hence, they pose a big threat to India’s security. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) blocked the apps with China links.

As MeitY received an alert from a nodal officer of the Ministry of Home Affairs in this regard, it blocked the apps. The order from the Ministry of Home Affairs directed MeitY to take an action against the apps urgently. So, MeitY announced the blocking of 138 gambling apps and 94 loan apps. However, the names of these apps were not revealed. The majority of these apps were operating from Chinese entities.

Notably, many loan apps are harassing borrowers even for the recovery of small amounts. They lure borrowers by offering instant personal loans without any documents but start blackmailing them if they miss the date of repayment.

Several complaints were being received against these apps. Hence, the government decided to take an action.

Last year, the Reserve Bank of India recommended a law to ban unregulated activities and to protect borrowers from the harassment of lenders.

As per the law, only the entities regulated by the RBI shall involve in lending activities or disburse a loan. The central bank also prescribed many guidelines.

Similarly, the IT ministry released a draft policy for online games to control betting and wagering.

The government exercised its power under Section 69 of the Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000, and blocked these apps that pose threat to the sovereignty and integrity of the country.

Earlier also, the government banned some Chinese mobile applications. So far, more than 200 apps that have Chinese links have been banned.

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