Singapore-based app Likee pulls out of Google Play and App Store, suspends service in India
By Team Newsable | First Published Jul 3, 2020, 12:25 AM ISTThe company, however, said that it would work closely with all government authorities concerned on the issue within the framework of local laws.
Singapore-based BIGO Technology Pte Ltd on Thursday took down its global short video app Likee from Google Play and App Store temporarily, following the decision of the Indian government to ban 59 applications. In compliance with the directives issued by the government, Likee has suspended its service in the country. The company, however, said that it would work closely with all government authorities concerned on the issue within the framework of local laws.
Issuing a statement in this regard, BIGO Technology said, “We respect the Indian government's order and have temporarily taken off Likee from Google Play and App Store, and have suspended service in India until there is further clarity provided on this matter.”
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The company further said that it would comply with all local laws and ensure the privacy and data security of its hundreds of thousands of users spread across India. According to a technical leader of the company, Likee’s R&D team worked around the clock to ensure the service shutdown within 24 hours.
The full statement released by the company said, “The Government of India issued an interim order on 29 June 2020 to block 59 mobile apps, including Likee. We respect the Indian government's order and have temporarily taken off Likee from Google Play and App Store and have suspended service in India until there is further clarity provided on this matter. To obey the government’s instruction, our R&D team worked around the clock to ensure the service shutdown. Likee is under Singapore-based BIGO Technology and we hold utmost priority to the compliance of all local laws as well as the privacy and data security of all our users. We will be working closely with the Indian government under the local legal framework.”
Likee was initially launched as Like in July 2017, and has been functioning in over 180 countries, of which India has been a significant market. As per company data, Likee has witnessed more than 400 million downloads in India.
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