India blocks another 43 mobile apps mostly china

India blocks 43 mobile apps from accessing by users in India

 

India blocks 43 more mobile apps on November 24 under section 69A of the Information Technology Act.

This action was taken based on the inputs regarding these apps for engaging in activities which are prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, the security of the state and public order. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has issued the order for blocking the access of these apps by users in India based on the comprehensive reports received from Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Center, Ministry of Home Affairs.

Earlier on 29th June, 2020 the Government of India had blocked access to 59 mobile apps and on 2nd September, 2020 118 more apps were banned under section 69A of the Information Technology Act. Government is committed to protect the interests of citizens and sovereignty and integrity of India on all fronts and it shall take all possible steps to ensure that.

List of apps that have been blocked for access in India today’s order are given as per the annexure attached.

Annexure

1. AliSuppliers Mobile App
2. Alibaba Workbench
3. AliExpress - Smarter Shopping, Better Living
4. Alipay Cashier
5. Lalamove India - Delivery App
6. Drive with Lalamove India
7. Snack Video
8. CamCard - Business Card Reader
9. CamCard - BCR (Western)
10. Soul- Follow the soul to find you
11. Chinese Social - Free Online Dating Video App & Chat
12. Date in Asia - Dating & Chat For Asian Singles
13. WeDate-Dating App
14. Free dating app-Singol, start your date!
15. Adore App
16. TrulyChinese - Chinese Dating App
17. TrulyAsian - Asian Dating App
18. ChinaLove: dating app for Chinese singles
19. DateMyAge: Chat, Meet, Date Mature Singles Online
20. AsianDate: find Asian singles
21. FlirtWish: chat with singles
22. Guys Only Dating: Gay Chat
23. Tubit: Live Streams
24. WeWorkChina
25. First Love Live- super hot live beauties live online
26. Rela - Lesbian Social Network
27. Cashier Wallet
28. MangoTV
29. MGTV-HunanTV official TV APP
30. WeTV - TV version
31. WeTV - Cdrama, Kdrama&More
32. WeTV Lite
33. Lucky Live-Live Video Streaming App
34. Taobao Live
35. DingTalk
36. Identity V
37. Isoland 2: Ashes of Time
38. BoxStar (Early Access)
39. Heroes Evolved
40. Happy Fish
41. Jellipop Match-Decorate your dream island！
42. Munchkin Match: magic home building
43. Conquista Online II

In September India had also blocked 118 mobile apps in wake of recent threat to country's sovereignty and integrity as they are suspected to have been engaged in activities which is prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, the security of state and public order.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has received many complaints from various sources including several reports about the misuse of some mobile apps available on Android and iOS platforms for stealing and surreptitiously transmitting users’ data in an unauthorized manner to servers which have locations outside India. The compilation of these data, its mining and profiling by elements hostile to national security and defence of India, which ultimately impinges upon the sovereignty and integrity of India, is a matter of very deep and immediate concern which requires emergency measures,, Ministry said in a statement issued here on Sept2.

The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, Ministry of Home Affairs has also sent an exhaustive recommendation for blocking these malicious apps. Likewise, there have been similar bipartisan concerns, flagged by various public representatives, both outside and inside the Parliament of India. There has been a strong chorus in the public space to take strict action against Apps that harm India’s sovereignty as well as the privacy of our citizens.

On the basis of these and upon receiving of recent credible inputs that information posted, permissions sought, functionality embedded as well as data harvesting practices of above stated Apps raise serious concerns that these Apps collect and share data in surreptitious manner and compromise personal data and information of users that can have a severe threat to security of the State.

In the interest of sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India and security of the State. And using the sovereign powers, the Government of India has decided to block the usage of certain Apps, used in both mobile and non-mobile Internet enabled devices. These apps are listed in the attached appendix.

This move will safeguard the interests of crores of Indian mobile and internet users. This decision is a targeted move to ensure safety, security and sovereignty of Indian cyberspace.

 

Appendix

 

1. APUS Launcher Pro- Theme, Live Wallpapers, Smart
2. APUS Launcher -Theme, Call Show, Wallpaper, HideApps
3. APUS Security -Antivirus, Phone security, Cleaner
4. APUS Turbo Cleaner 2020- Junk Cleaner, Anti-Virus
5. APUS Flashlight-Free & Bright
6. Cut Cut – Cut Out & Photo Background Editor
7. Baidu
8. Baidu Express Edition
9. FaceU - Inspire your Beauty
10. ShareSave by Xiaomi: Latest gadgets, amazing deals
11. CamCard - Business Card Reader
12. CamCard Business
13. CamCard for Salesforce
14. CamOCR
15. InNote
16. VooV Meeting - Tencent Video Conferencing
17. Super Clean - Master of Cleaner, Phone Booster
18. WeChat reading
19. Government WeChat
20. Small Q brush
21. Tencent Weiyun
22. Pitu
23. WeChat Work
24. Cyber Hunter
25. Cyber Hunter Lite
26. Knives Out-No rules, just fight!
27. Super Mecha Champions
28. LifeAfter
29. Dawn of Isles
30. Ludo World-Ludo Superstar
31. Chess Rush
32. PUBG MOBILE Nordic Map: Livik
33. PUBG MOBILE LITE
34. Rise of Kingdoms: Lost Crusade
35. Art of Conquest: Dark Horizon
36. Dank Tanks
37. Warpath
38. Game of Sultans
39. Gallery Vault - Hide Pictures And Videos
40. Smart AppLock (App Protect)
41. Message Lock (SMS Lock)-Gallery Vault Developer Team
42. Hide App-Hide Application Icon
43. AppLock
44. AppLock Lite
45. Dual Space - Multiple Accounts & App Cloner
46. ZAKZAK Pro - Live chat & video chat online
47. ZAKZAK LIVE: live-streaming & video chat app
48. Music - Mp3 Player
49. Music Player - Audio Player & 10 Bands Equalizer
50. HD Camera Selfie Beauty Camera
51. Cleaner - Phone Booster
52. Web Browser & Fast Explorer
53. Video Player All Format for Android
54. Photo Gallery HD & Editor
55. Photo Gallery & Album
56. Music Player - Bass Booster - Free Download
57. HD Camera - Beauty Cam with Filters & Panorama
58. HD Camera Pro & Selfie Camera
59. Music Player - MP3 Player & 10 Bands Equalizer
60. Gallery HD
61. Web Browser - Fast, Privacy & Light Web Explorer
62. Web Browser - Secure Explorer
63. Music player - Audio Player
64. Video Player - All Format HD Video Player
65. Lamour Love All Over The World
66. Amour- video chat & call all over the world.
67. MV Master - Make Your Status Video & Community
68. MV Master - Best Video Maker & Photo Video Editor
69. APUS Message Center-Intelligent management
70. LivU Meet new people & Video chat with strangers
71. Carrom Friends : Carrom Board & Pool Game-
72. Ludo All Star- Play Online Ludo Game & Board Games
73. Bike Racing : Moto Traffic Rider Bike Racing Games
74. Rangers Of Oblivion : Online Action MMO RPG Game
75. Z Camera - Photo Editor, Beauty Selfie, Collage
76. GO SMS Pro - Messenger, Free Themes, Emoji
77. U-Dictionary: Oxford Dictionary Free Now Translate
78. Ulike - Define your selfie in trendy style
79. Tantan - Date For Real
80. MICO Chat: New Friends Banaen aur Live Chat karen
81. Kitty Live - Live Streaming & Video Live Chat
82. Malay Social Dating App to Date & Meet Singles
83. Alipay
84. AlipayHK
85. Mobile Taobao
86. Youku
87. Road of Kings- Endless Glory
88. Sina News
89. Netease News
90. Penguin FM
91. Murderous Pursuits
92. Tencent Watchlist (Tencent Technology
93. Learn Chinese AI-Super Chinese
94. HUYA LIVE – Game Live Stream
95. Little Q Album
96. Fighting Landlords - Free and happy Fighting Landlords
97. Hi Meitu
98. Mobile Legends: Pocket
99. VPN for TikTok
100. VPN for TikTok
101. Penguin E-sports Live assistant
102. Buy Cars-offer everything you need, special offers and low prices
103. iPick
104. Beauty Camera Plus - Sweet Camera & Face Selfie
105. Parallel Space Lite - Dual App
106. "Chief Almighty: First Thunder BC
107. MARVEL Super War NetEase Games
108. AFK Arena
109. Creative Destruction NetEase Games
110. Crusaders of Light NetEase Games
111. Mafia City Yotta Games
112. Onmyoji NetEase Games
113. Ride Out Heroes NetEase Games
114. Yimeng Jianghu-Chu Liuxiang has been fully upgraded
115. Legend: Rising Empire NetEase Games
116. Arena of Valor: 5v5 Arena Games
117. Soul Hunters
118. Rules of Survival

 

Indian Scientists develop an eco-friendly smart screen from Groundnut shell waste

 Indian Scientists develop an eco-friendly smart screen from Groundnut shell waste

Groundnut shell is a waste which either is burnt in open or piled up after taking out groundnuts from it. In some places, it is converted into pellet or briquettes and burnt in a Kiln or boiler. Indian scientists have developed another eco-friendly smart screen from groundnut shells that would not only help in preserving privacy but also in energy conservation by controlling light and heat passing through it and reduce air conditioning load.

The technique is simple but unique—scientists from the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CENS) Banglore developed a cellulose-based smart screen from the discarded groundnut shells.

Indian scientists have developed an eco-friendly smart screen from groundnut shells that could help not only in preserving privacy but also in energy conservation by controlling light and heat passing through it and reducing air conditioning load.

Though in principle, the device could be developed from any cellulose or agricultural waste, due to certain properties of groundnut waste, the smart screen developed from groundnut, waste has been found to be most efficient.

The scientists of CENS led by Professor S Krishna Prasad developed the smart screen, in which liquid crystal molecules were confined in a polymer matrix, prepared from discarded groundnut shells.

The refractive index of the liquid crystal molecules along a particular direction were altered by the application of an electric field. In the absence of the electric field, there was a mismatch between refractive indices between those of the polymer and the liquid crystal, leading to the scattering of light.

Upon application of a few volts of an electric field, the liquid crystal molecules underwent a direction change resulting in the matching of refractive indices, and the device became transparent almost instantaneously.

When the field was turned off, the system quickly recovered the scattering state. This reversible change between the two states available at the flip of a switch occurred over thousands of cycles, with essentially no change in contrast or switching speed.

The device they developed, described in a recent issue of Applied Physics Letters employed the same principle that causes fog on winter mornings. This happens only when the water droplets are of the right size, and it can co-exist along with air. The incoming light sees these two as materials of different refractive indices and thus gets scattered, giving a foggy appearance. Similarly, the polymer and the liquid crystal should co-exist in the right size to create the required optical properties for the smart screen.

Ms Pragnya and Dr Srividhya, the students who worked on the device, emphasize that the protocol for the CNC preparation plays a key role in controlling the device contrast with the IIT Roorkee material outperforming the CNC available from commercial sources.

Apart from the original intention of targeted privacy creation, the device can be employed for a whole range of possible applications, especially in the energy conservation by controlling the amount and window of infrared light that is permitted to pass. For example, while a window having this technology would remain transparent to the entire visible region, undesirable levels of heat radiation could be significantly reduced, keeping the enclosure cool.

Groundnut Shell waste in India

Groundnut shells account for approximately 20% of the dried peanut pod by weight, meaning there is a significant amount of shell residual left after groundnut processing. Increased groundnut production leads to the accumulation of these groundnut shells which is not utilized, thus either burnt or buried. As Groundnut shells are rich in many functional compounds and composed of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin, it can be utilized in multiple ways. This review highlights potential applications of groundnut shells for commercial and industrial purposes. Groundnut shells can be converted in various bio-products such as biodiesel, bioethanol, nano-sheet and also has applications in enzyme and hydrogen production, dye and heavy metal degradation etc. An efficient management strategy is required to convert this otherwise considered waste into valuable bio-products to achieve zero waste production system.

Ends.

India approves Rs 1,45,980 crore under Production Linked Scheme (PLI). Will that prove game changer in India's manuring capabilities ?

The production linked Incentive (PLI) scheme that would give benefits to the tune of Rs 1,45,980 crore to 10 key sectors is going to prove a game-changer for enhancing India’s manufacturing capabilities and for enhancing exports. The five-year financial outlay of the scheme was cleared by Modi Cabinet on November 11.

The scheme was first announced on April 1, 2020, offers a production linked incentive to boost domestic manufacturing and attract large investments in mobile phone manufacturing and specified electronic components, including Assembly, Testing, Marking and Packaging (ATMP) units. The Scheme has been designed to boost the electronics manufacturing landscape and establish India at the global level in the electronics sector. 

 The scheme extends an incentive of 4% to 6% on incremental sales (over a base year) of goods manufactured in India and covered under target segments, to eligible companies, for a period of five (5) years subsequent to the base year as defined. 

 The Scheme was open for applications for a period of 4 months initially and was extended subsequently. It would be implemented through a Nodal Agency that would act as a Project Management Agency (PMA) and would be responsible for providing secretarial, managerial and implementation support.

As per the financial outlay, the highest allocation is given to the automobile sector of Rs 57,042 crore, Rs 18,100 crore for advance chemical battery cells, Rs 15,000 crore for pharmaceutical drugs and Rs 12,195 crore for telecom and network products.

The PLI scheme across these 10 key specific sectors would make Indian manufacturers globally competitive, attract investment in the areas of core competency. The cutting-edge technology would ensure efficiencies, create economies of scale and make India an integral part of the global supply chain.

S.NO	Sectors	Implementing Ministry/Department	Approved financial outlay over a five-year period Rs. crore
	Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) Battery	NITI Aayog and Department of Heavy Industries	18100
	Electronic/Technology Products	Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology	5000
	Automobiles & Auto Components	Department of Heavy Industries	57042
	Pharmaceuticals drugs	Department of Pharmaceuticals	15000
	Telecom & Networking Products	Department of Telecom	12195
	Textile Products: MMF segment and technical textiles	Ministry of Textiles	10683
	Food Products	Ministry of Food Processing Industries	10900
	High-Efficiency Solar PV Modules	Ministry of New and Renewable Energy	4500
	White Goods (ACs & LED)	Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade	6238
	Speciality Steel	Ministry of Steel	6322
Total			145980

• ACC battery manufacturing represents one of the largest economic opportunities of the twenty-first century for several global growth sectors, such as consumer electronics, electric vehicles, and renewable energy. The PLI scheme for ACC battery will incentivize large domestic and international players in establishing a competitive ACC battery set-up in the country.
• India is expected to have a USD 1 trillion digital economy by 2025. Additionally, the Government's push for data localization, Internet of Things market in India, projects such as Smart City and Digital India are expected to increase the demand for electronic products. The PLI scheme will boost the production of electronic products in India.
• The automotive industry is a major economic contributor in India. The PLI scheme will make the Indian automotive Industry more competitive and will enhance the globalization of the Indian automotive sector.
• The Indian pharmaceutical industry is the third-largest in the world by volume and 14th largest in terms of value. It contributes 3.5% of the total drugs and medicines exported globally. India possesses the complete ecosystem for development and manufacturing of pharmaceuticals and a robust ecosystem of allied industries. The PLI scheme will incentivize the global and domestic players to engage in high-value production.
• Telecom equipment forms a critical and strategic element of building a secured telecom infrastructure and India aspires to become a major original equipment manufacturer of telecom and networking products. The PLI scheme is expected to attract large investments from global players and help domestic companies seize emerging opportunities and become big players in the export market.
• The Indian textile industry is one of the largest in the world and has a share of ~5% of global exports in textiles and apparel. But India's share in the manmade fibre (MMF) segment is low in contrast to the global consumption pattern, which is majorly in this segment. The PLI scheme will attract large investment in the sector to further boost domestic manufacturing, especially in the MMF segment and technical textiles.
• The growth of the processed food industry leads to a better price for farmers and reduces high levels of wastage. Specific product lines having high growth potential and capabilities to generate medium- to large-scale employment have been identified for providing support through PLI scheme.
• 
  Large imports of solar PV panels pose risks in supply-chain resilience and have strategic security challenges considering the electronic (hackable) nature of the value chain. A focused PLI scheme for solar PV modules will incentivize domestic and global players to build large-scale solar PV capacity in India and help India leapfrog in capturing the global value chains for solar PV manufacturing.
• White goods (air conditioners and LEDs) have a very high potential for domestic value addition and making these products globally competitive. A PLI scheme for the sector will lead to more domestic manufacturing, generation of jobs and increased exports.
• Steel is a strategically important industry and India is the world's second-largest steel producer in the world. It is a net exporter of finished steel and has the potential to become a champion in certain grades of steel. A PLI scheme in Specialty Steel will help in enhancing manufacturing capabilities for value-added steel leading to an increase in total exports.

Sector Wise Product Lines

Sector		Product Lines
Advance Chemistry Cell (ACC) Battery Manufacturing		ACC Batteries
Electronic/Technology Products		Semiconductor Fab Display Fab Laptop/ Notebooks Servers IoT Devices Specified Computer Hardware
Automobile and Auto Components		Automobile and Auto Components
Pharmaceuticals	Category 1 Biopharmaceuticals Complex generic drugs Patented drugs or drugs nearing patent expiry Cell based or gene therapy products Orphan drugs Special empty capsules ·        vii. Complex excipients
	Category 2 Active Pharma Ingredients (APIs) /Key Starting Materials (KSMs) and /Drug Intermediaries (Dls) Category 3 Repurposed Drugs Auto-immune drugs, Anti-cancer drugs, Antidiabetic drugs, Anti Infective drugs, Cardiovascular drugs, Psychotropic drugs and Anti-Retroviral drugs In-vitro Diagnostic Devices (IVDs) Phytopharmaceuticals Other drugs not manufactured in India Other drugs as approved
Telecom Products	Core Transmission Equipment 4G/5G, Next Generation Radio Access Network and Wireless Equipment Access & Customer Premises Equipment (CPE), Internet of Things (IoT) Access Devices and Other WirelessEquipment Enterprise equipment: Switches, Router
Textiles	Man-Made Fiber Segment Technical Textiles
Food Processing	Ready to Eat / Ready to Cook (RTE/ RTC) Marine Products Fruits & Vegetables Honey Desi Ghee Mozzarella Cheese Organic eggs and poultry meat
Solar PV manufacturing	Solar PVs
White Goods	Air conditioners LED
Steel Products	Coated Steel High Strength Steel Steel Rails Ally Steel Bars & Rods

Ends.