Representative image 
National

Govt blocks 232 betting, loan apps mainly linked to China

As per sources, these apps are used to trap financially strapped people in a debt trap, by increasing their interest on loans up to 3,000 per cent.

DTNEXT Bureau

NEW DELHI: The government blocked 232 apps operated by overseas entities, including Chinese for being involved in betting, gambling and unauthorised loan service, according to an official source.

Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) has issued orders to block these apps following in-structions from Ministry of Home Affairs.

“The order to block 138 apps that were involved in betting, gambling and money laundering were issued last evening. Separately, an order to block 94 apps engaged in unauthorised loan service has also been issued. These apps were being operated from offshore entities, including Chinese. They were posing a threat to the economic stability of the country,” said the official, who did not wish to be named.

The official did not disclose the name of the apps that have been blocked.

An official query sent to MeitY did not elicit any immediate response.

In 2020, India had blocked around 200 mobile apps, including PUBG Mobile, TikTok, under section 69A of the IT Act.

Visit news.dtnext.in to explore our interactive epaper!

Download the DT Next app for more exciting features!

Click here for iOS

Click here for Android

Chennai Citizen Connect: Redevelopment works at Egmore pose safety risks for commuters

TN’s coastal ecosystem provides economic benefits worth $127 million

Tamil Nadu town panchayats to begin breakfast scheme for cleanliness workers before Pongal

Chennai: Encroachments leave no space for pedestrians on Purasawalkam High Road

AIADMK to conduct conclaves to rev up support of youth, women