App wars between India and China enter new phase

China’s tech firms are being encouraged to sue India’s government for compensation after the latter made permanent last year’s temporary ban on 59 apps originating from that country.

What’s happening? 

• The Indian government’s decision came after it said it was not satisfied with the responses of companies to questions of compliance around data privacy and national security issues.

• TikTok is scaling back its workforce in India, with 90% of staff set to leave by the end of next week.
• China’s state-owned Global Times newspaper has urged affected firms to resort to law and seek compensation from the Indian government.

Upping the stakes

“India is like a bandit in [a] world that advocates civilized trade … India only has a layman’s understanding of the international rules” – Hu Xijin, editor-in-chief, Global Times.