Will Banning Chinese App Guarantee Restriction Of Access To Users?

The world of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) is quite fascinating, and the onset of gaming platforms is just like the cherry on the cake. Of course, you don’t know about PUBG. But are you aware that these games, developed in China, are banned there itself, including Whatsapp? So now you can think how important it is for one to keep the personal mobile device safe and avoid risky downloads. Let us now glimpse the controversy surrounding Undawn, a game produced and marketed by a collection of enterprises affiliated with China’s Internet behemoth Tencent.

The row of the Undawn.

Undawn was published on 15 June, the third anniversary of the Galwan incident, the worst conflict between Indian and Chinese forces along Ladakh’s Line of Actual Control (LAC).

The release of Undawn sparked uproar in India.

Prahar, an Assam-based NGO, has called for the shutdown of Undawn, calling it a digital attack on India’s sovereignty. According to Prahar, the game’s representation of Chinese soldiers’ military outfits and weapons is “hurtful to Indian sentiments.” Prahar has also received support from the Swadeshi Jagran Manch, an organisation linked with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

Foreign app restriction in China.

China has banned a number of international applications, including Google, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Netflix, and Twitter, driving Chinese users to seek out domestic alternatives like UC Browser, Youku, WeChat, and TikTok. Ironically, while China bans access to some international apps, its own programmes continue to dominate the worldwide market. That’s what is called supremacy!

In India, Chinese applications are prohibited.

“Ban on PUBG and whatnot”; all these phrases are very common to hear now. But wait! Undawn is now available in India, despite the fact that the nation has banned 321 Chinese applications due to worries about sensitive user data collecting and potential security dangers.

Because of the potential for espionage, monitoring, unauthorised access to cameras/microphones, tracking position (GPS), and participating in the harmful network activity, these apps aroused major concerns.

But the question is whether these programmes can be kept out of the hands of consumers.

Undawn Unravelling.

To solve this enigma, we must delve into the complex environment of the online gaming sector. Tencent, the world’s largest gaming publisher, released Undawn, a free-to-play role-playing survival game (RPG), in China on February 23. On June 15, it became available internationally, including in India, via Tencent’s global publishing arm, Level Infinite, which operates out of Singapore and Amsterdam.

Undawn has received over a million downloads from Google Play. According to Similarweb, an Israeli software and statistics business that specialises in web analytics and traffic, 73.34% of Undawn’s users are male, and 26.66% are female. Its main user population is between the ages of 25 and 34. 

India’s online gaming market.

India, the world’s most populous country, is one of the gaming industry’s most important marketplaces. By 2025, it is predicted to have 920 million unique mobile customers, including 88 million 5G connections, fueling the expansion of the online gaming sector. During the pandemic, the usage of digital devices grew, resulting in more access to top-tier games.

The major engine of the local gaming sector is the world’s greatest young population. Companies increased their marketing efforts to attract this consumer niche. A vibrant gaming environment has evolved from the simple availability of high-quality games and a major push helped by government efforts. According to the International Journal of Creative Research Thoughts, there are 700 million gamers in India.

According to ‘Dry Water,’ a working expert in the online gaming sector, banning applications does not ensure that users cannot access them because these programmes may be simply downloaded from web browsers even if they are not featured on app stores. Users can also use VPNs to get around limitations imposed by Internet Service Providers (ISPs). Bans increase the danger of users being more vulnerable to weaknesses; thus, we should look for other methods to counteract online propaganda as the conflict moves beyond conventional battlefields.

Major Gaurav Arya (Retd.) reacted to Prahar’s demand to prohibit ‘Undawn’ in a Tweet, indicating a different point of view. Arya is categorical in the belief that patriotism alone cannot solve such difficult problems. Taking a lesson from this line of thought is critical in recognising the limitations of app restrictions and exploring alternate techniques that meet cybersecurity issues.

Conclusion. 

As the adage goes that “If you want to destroy any nation without war, make adultery or nudity common in the young generation’. It seems that China has fully utilised this concept in a rectified way and very smartly targeted the young generation, who are competent in developing and innovating technologies, who are being distracted by this online gaming app. Although the concept hasn’t reached the extreme level of adultery and nudity, everyone knows that there is no limit that the Dragon can go to destroy or dominate others and become a superpower.