TikTok On The Chopping Block? Centre Threatens To Ban App Unless It Responds To Series Of Questions By 22 July

The Centre has issued notices to popular Chinese social media apps Tiktok and Helo along with a set of 24 questions regarding the alleged misuse of their platforms for "anti-national activities" in India.

The government has warned that these apps may face ban if they fail to submit an appropriate response to its queries by 22 July, reports Business Today.

According to the report, the move by Ministry of Electonics and Information Technology (MEITY) comes in the wake of complaint by Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh affliliate Swadesh Jagran Manch to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In the complaint, it was alleged that the platforms are being used for anti-national activities.

Both the social media platforms have been asked by the MEITY to respond to allegation that they have become “a hub of anti-national activities”. The ministry has also sought assurance that the data of Indian users on these platforms are not being transferred at present and will not be transferred in future also.

Further, the ministry has also sought a response on the initiative being taken to check fake news and steps being taken to be compliant under Indian laws.

Meanwhile, in a joint statement, TikTok and Helo have stressed that they take their responsibility to the community seriously and said that they welcome this opportunity to fully collaborate with the government to meet and exceed their obligations.