In collaboration with the Survey of India (SoI), the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has asked Google to remove the Ablo app from its Play Store. The reason for this is that the application does not correctly map the geography of India as it incorrectly represents Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, and does not include Lakshadweep.

Allegations under the IT Act also under the Criminal proceedings-223

MeitY’s notice also cites the Crime and Punishment Act of 1990, which, amongst other things, places restrictions on the way a country’s territorial borders may be depicted legally under the threat of imprisonment for up to six months or income erosion by way of fines. It cites as well subsection 79(b) of the Information Technology Act of 2000 which compels the receiving party to contract for content that breaches the laws of the country.

The notice further contains the assertion that consequences of an erroneous map advocated in the Ablo App poses a direct threat to India clicking Sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Cited within the other embedded links to quotes of the decision text Cenzura colloca document referring legislation of 2015 Shreya Singhal vs Union of India are cited. By primary statements, they recalled that because Google issues bailouts to an enormous and diverse set of users the rules of these basic contracts apply on any moderate valid commande de l’Etat.

A topic discussed further down the log of a meeting between MeitY and SoI, where SoI was encouraged to act on relevant laws through litigation by other divisions of the ministry.

Ablo was Still on the Google Play Store When It was Reported

While reporting, the Ablo app was still present on the Google Play Store. Ablo was, however, absent from the Apple App Store. The ministry has mentioned that it is waiting for further information and action from Google’s representatives and app developers, who have not yet provided any comments.

More Cases of Digital Map Violations Of India’s Sovereignty

This isn’t the only time. In 2023, abuses were also noted in World Map Quiz and MA 2 – President Simulator for depicting borders of India’s territory incorrectly. In 2021, there was a case where Twitter were criticized over showing Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh as not part of India on the Careers section of their website leading to an FIR filed against former Twitter India CEO Manish Maheshwari.

Read More: India Orders Google to Remove ‘Ablo’ App Over Incorrect Map Depiction