Govt blocks 138 betting, 94 loan lending apps with Chinese links

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has started blocking around 138 betting and 94 loan apps linked to China.

The RBI last year recommended a law for Banning Unregulated Lending Activities (BULA) to safeguard borrowers from predatory lending, harassment, and blackmail.

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Action on these platforms started after the government received an alert from a nodal officer in the Ministry of Home Affairs.

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Sources said MeitY issued blocking orders against these apps on an immediate and emergency basis.

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He did not disclose the names of the apps that were being blocked.

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The government is exercising its power under section 69 of the Information Technology Act of 2000.

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Section 69 allows its agencies to intercept, monitor and decrypt any digital information under specific circumstances.

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Probe agencies have found that several mobile lending apps illegally offer personal loans of up to Rs 10,000 for a period ranging from seven days to a month.

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Many borrowers have complained that these platforms blackmail them if they miss the repayment date.

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Gambling apps have come under similar scrutiny after a proliferation of games like cards, casinos, and fantasy sports among young people.

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This has led to addiction and financial losses, with some reported cases of suicide.

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