Sec 69A of IT Act

Subject: Polity

Context:

India government has banned 59 apps originating from China by invoking its power under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act

Concept:

Reason

• Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) said it had received many complaints including several reports about misuse of some mobile apps available on Android and iOS platforms for stealing and surreptitiously transmitting users’ data in an unauthorised manner to servers which have locations outside India.
• It also received many representations raising concerns from citizens regarding security of data and risk to privacy relating to operation of certain apps.
• The compilation of collected data, its mining and profiling by elements hostile to national security and defence of India, which ultimately impinges upon the sovereignty and integrity of India

Section 69A of IT act

• Power to issue directions for blocking for public access of any information through any computer resource
• Central Government or any of its officers specially authorized by it if satisfied that it is necessary or expedient so to do, in the interest of sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of the State, friendly relations with foreign States or public order or for preventing incitement to the commission of any cognizable offence relating to above, it may by order, direct any agency of the Government or intermediary to block for access by the public or cause to be blocked for access by the public any information generated, transmitted, received, stored or hosted in any computer resource.