As anti-China sentiments simmered in the country amid rising border tensions, #BoycottChina trended on social media, and a new mobile application 'Remove China Apps' was deleted from the Google Play Store. The app had crossed over 50 lakh downloads within weeks of launch, with its promise of deleting Chinese apps from phones. The Indian Express first reported the development, and THE WEEK could not find the application in the Play Store.
The 'Remove China Apps', which was released on May 17, deletes apps like TikTok, UC Browser and other apps that are purportedly Chinese in origin. It currently has 1.89 lakh reviews and holds a 4.9 star rating on the Google Play Store.
The makers of the app, One Touch AppLabs, claim that it has been "developed for educational purposes" to identify the country of origin of a certain application. According to the company's website, it is based in Jaipur and the developers do not intend to use the app for commercial purposes.
Recently, another app called 'Mitron' also become immensely popular and the video app was touted as the homegrown competitor that would take on Chinese video-sharing app, TikTok. However, it appears that Mitron has been removed from Google Play Store and reports suggested that security concerns had prompted the move.
On social media also, this has been a hot topic of conversation with #BoycottChineseProducts trending on Twitter. Sonam Wangchuk, who was the inspiration for Aamir Khan's 'Phunsukh Wangdu' character in 3 Idiots, had put out a video, urging Indians to boycott Chinese products and pointed out that China earns billions of dollars from its businesses in India that is then used to boost their military and kill Indian soldiers.
Among prominent names, actor-model Milind Soman answered the clarion call and said he had quit TikTok.
-Inputs from PTI
