Only 15 Apps Blocked in India So Far, 104 Still Accessible Despite Block Order

The Indian government has issued an order to block 119 apps available on the Google Play Store, with a majority linked to developers in China and Hong Kong. According to data disclosed by Google on the Lumen Database, a Harvard University-operated platform that tracks content removal requests, these apps primarily include video and voice chat platforms.

Implementation Status: Only 15 Apps Blocked So Far

Despite the directive, only 15 of the 119 apps have been withheld in India so far, while the rest remain available for download as of February 20, 2025, according to reports. A smaller number of affected apps also originate from countries such as Singapore, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia.

Legal Basis: Section 69A of the IT Act

The blocking order has been issued under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, which grants the Indian government the power to restrict public access to online content in the interest of national security, sovereignty, or public order. This legal provision has previously been used to block Chinese apps, particularly following geopolitical tensions between India and China.

Response from Affected App Developers

According to reports, some developers of the affected apps were informed by Google about the blocking order. Many of these developers have expressed willingness to cooperate with the Indian government to resolve the issue and regain access to the Indian market.

Google’s Disclosure on Lumen Database

Details of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology’s (MeitY) order emerged through Google’s disclosure on the Lumen Database. The disclosure, which was initially published on February 18, 2025, has since been removed. However, Google has not clarified whether the delay in enforcing the ban on the remaining apps is due to technical or procedural reasons.

Uncertainty Over Complete Enforcement

With only 15 out of 119 apps currently inaccessible in India, questions remain about how and when the remaining applications will be blocked. Google’s disclosure did not specify a timeline for enforcement, leaving uncertainty over the complete implementation of the directive.

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