The Indian government has banned Mi Browser Pro that is offered on Xiaomi smartphones as it continues its crackdown on Chinese apps and products. The Mi Browser Pro, which does not come pre-installed in Xiaomi smartphones and needs to be downloaded, has been removed from Google Play Store.
The regular Mi Browser, the default browser on all Xiaomi phones, is allowed for now, reports said. It was also alleged that the removal of the Mi Browser Pro app will impact the performance of the devices, but the company has said that users can switch over to another browser and this will not affect its performance.
Xiaomi is the leading smartphone brand in India, with over 10 crore mobile phone sold in the country.
The Financial Express reported that Xiaomi has not received the order from the government and is still awaiting it. Xiaomi said that it complied with all data privacy and security requirements under Indian law.
The crackdown on Chinese companies started after tensions at the India-China border when clashes between troops of both countries resulted in the death of 20 Indian soldiers. The government, in late June, banned several Chinese apps, including TikTok, SHAREit, CamScanner, UC Browser, WeChat and Likee, for “engaging in activities which are prejudicial to the sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order”. Xiaomi’s Mi Community app was also in the banned apps list.
