Ban on Chinese apps a 'digital strike', says Prasad

Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Thursday said that India conducted a “digital strike” by banning 59 Chinese apps including TikTok to ensure data security and privacy of Indians.

Addressing a virtual rally for West Bengal, Prasad said that the apps were banned in the interest of national security, data security of Indians and public order.

“We are very stern in our approach to activity seeking to compromise the data security, sending the data outside India and privacy of Indians. We will not make any compromise on the data security of our people. India knows how to conduct a digital strike,” said Prasad.

He also said that although India always wants a peaceful relation with others, if provoked it is capable of giving a befitting reply. Referring to the clash between Indian and Chinese troops at Ladakh, the minister said that even as there were 20 fatalities on the Indian side, China has suffered double the loss.

Prasad pointed out that China is yet to reveal the number of fatalities on their side adding that even the international community believes that China has suffered heavy losses.

Lashing out at Congress and the Trinamool Congress (TMC) for constantly questioning the Centre over the Ladakh issue, Prasad said that such comments by the opposition parties get highlighted outside India.

“Such questions were raised during Balakot. When Rahul Gandhi asked for evidence Trinamool Congress didn’t say he was wrong. Same happened in Uri and same is happening now,” said Prasad.

He took jibes at TMC saying that earlier, the ruling party in West Bengal had asked why the Centre was not banning these apps and now, they are asking why these apps have been banned.

TMC MP Nusrat Jahan on Thursday termed the Centre’s decision to ban the apps as an “eyewash and impulsive”, adding that since the livelihood of many depends on these apps, the Centre should come up with their substitutes.

Referring to the terror attack in Uri and Pulwama, Prasad said that after the attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the sacrifices of the soldiers will not go in vain and he kept his word as India responded with strong actions.