Chandigarh [India], July 17 (ANI): Punjab Police on Friday warned citizens against downloading any APK (Android application package) files that mimic the services of TikTok as it can be sources of malware spread.

Punjab Police State Cyber Crime Cell has also warned against downloading any other popular apps banned by the Government of India.

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Almost all the apps banned have some preferential Chinese interest and the majority have parent Chinese companies.

The Ministry of Information Technology had said in a release that it has decided to block 59 apps in view of the information available that "they are engaged in activities which is prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, the security of the state and public order".

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Law, Electronics and Information Technology Minister, Ravi Shankar Prasad said that the government has banned apps for safety, security, defence, sovereignty, and integrity of India. (ANI)

(The above story is verified and authored by ANI staff, ANI is South Asia's leading multimedia news agency with over 100 bureaus in India, South Asia and across the globe. ANI brings the latest news on Politics and Current Affairs in India & around the World, Sports, Health, Fitness, Entertainment, & News. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)