After Mitron app, Google takes down 'Delete China Apps' from Play Store

Remove China Apps gained popularity because of a growing anti-China sentiment due to Himalayan border dispute between India and China.

Google has pulled down the ‘Delete China Apps’ app from its application distribution platform Play Store for Android devices. Though the search giant did not detail the reason, it is learned that the app was taken down for violating Google Play Store’s Deceptive Behaviour Policy, according to a news report in TechCrunch.

Developed by Jaipur-based app development and web designing start-up OneTouchAppLabs, the Remove China Apps gained popularity in India largely because of a growing anti-China sentiment due to border dispute between India and China in the Pangong region of higher Himalayas. Launched in April, the app soon became the top free app and the top trending app on Google app store. It had crossed a million downloads within a short span of 15 days, and had a 4.8 star rating out of 5 star on the Play Store before it was taken down.

Earlier on May 2, Google also pulled down the Mitron app from the Play Store for not conforming to platform’s ‘Spam and Minimum Functionality Policy’.

Confirmed the suspension of the app, Google said that it takes down duplicate apps that copy content from other apps without adding any original content or value and create multiple apps with highly similar functionality, content, and user experience.

The Mitron app was seen as a TikTok alternative with Indian roots. It was one of the most downloaded apps on Google Play Store and had clocked more than five million downloads from Play Store.

The call to block Chinese apps and products has been growing on social media platform. Recently, Baba Ramdev tweeted a video that showed deleting TikTok and other apps with Chinese affiliation.

Inhuman treatment given to Pragya Thakur over suspicion not fair: Ramdev

Describing himself as someone who doesn't belong to any particular political party, the yoga guru Monday said the country was facing all sorts of challenges at present.

Yoga guru Ramdev has come out in support of the BJP's Bhopal candidate and Malegaon blast case accused Pragya Singh Thakur, saying it was unfair to subject her to cruelty in jail for nine years on the basis of a suspicion.

"Sadhvi Pragya was made to suffer rigorous imprisonment for nine years. There is nothing wrong in restraining her if she makes an inappropriate statement but the inhuman treatment given to her in the jail purely on the basis of suspicion was not fair," Ramdev told reporters in Haridwar on Monday.

He was replying to a question about Thakur's remarks against the then Mumbai Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) Chief Hemant Karkare, who died fighting terrorists during the 26/11 Mumbai attack. Karkare was investigating the 2008 Malegaon blast case.

Addressing BJP workers in Bhopal, Thakur had claimed that Karkare died during the attacks as she "cursed" him for torturing her.

Describing himself as someone who doesn't belong to any particular political party, the yoga guru Monday said the country was facing all sorts of political, economic and religious challenges at present.

"After overcoming these challenges, the country will become a world leader by 2040," he claimed.

Ramdev further said it was wrong to assume that poverty and unemployment were the only issues. "Ram and nationalism are equally important," he added.

Business Standard