Chinese App Ablo banned in India because it showed Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh as not part of India. Not only that it also omitted the Lakshadweep islands from the India map. The Modi government has directed Google to remove the Chinese Video chat app “Ablo” from the Play Store.
The app deliberately showed a wrong map of India, misinterpreting the UT of J&K, Ladakh, and the Lakshadweep islands. According to a notification released by the Survey of India (SoI) and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), such deception puts India’s integrity and sovereignty in danger. The warning referenced Section 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology Act, 2000, which requires web platforms to remove content that breaches Indian regulations, and the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 1990, which makes it illegal to display India’s geography incorrectly.
Ablo– Everything about Banned App
Ablo is a social video chat app developed by a Belgium-based company, MassiveMedia. Later, this was bought by Match Group. This company also owns apps like Tinder and OkCupid. Ablo’s integrated translation function was what set it apart. Users from other nations could converse easily in their local tongues thanks to the app’s real-time voice and chat translation capabilities. It became well-known for encouraging cross-border impromptu dialogue and cultural interaction. Young users who were interested in meeting people from different nations and learning about different viewpoints were particularly fond of the program.
Ablo frequently advertised itself as a “passport to the world” and had a vibrant, travel-themed UI. It enabled users to virtually go to any country they desired and establish instant connections with locals. Ablo established a niche among users seeking a more experimental and impromptu social experience.
Though it isn’t popular in India, but has over 10,000 downloads in India. Digital platforms have already been subject to legal action for inaccurately depicting India’s map. Apps such as MA 2-President Simulator and World Map Quiz were reported for similar reasons in 2023. Google was notified by the Survey of India that the World Map Quiz app misrepresented the regions of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. Likewise, the app MA 2-President Simulator was also reported for displaying an inaccurate map of India.
Chinese App Ablo banned in India
Twitter received criticism in 2021 for presenting a skewed image of India that depicted Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh as distinct nations. Following complaints, the Indian government intervened, and the map was updated. Following criticism from a Union minister, WhatsApp issued an apology and took down a video in 2023 that featured an inaccurate map of India. Google and Apple discontinued the offline navigation app MAPS in 2025. After the Survey of India issued a takedown notice for inaccurately portraying portions of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh as being outside of Indian territory, I left their stores.
Regarding the representation of its borders, the Indian government has strict regulations. According to the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 1990, it is illegal to display India’s map incorrectly. Violations of this law can result in a fine, up to six months in jail, or both. Furthermore, internet platforms must delete anything contravening Indian legislation following the Information Technology Act of 2000. In the Shreya Singhal v. Union of India case, the Supreme Court ruled in 2015 that platforms must abide by legitimate government directives.
Now, it’s the perfect time to make a law regarding Chinese apps in India. The law should be to operate in India; Chinese apps should not be on the Play Store or App Store.
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