# [India blocks OSS Apps](https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/centre-blocks-14-mobile-apps-used-by-terrorists-in-pakistan-to-send-info-in-jammu-and-kashmir-101682913776616.html)
**CHRIS**
And our last story is a cautionary tale that, if continued, would be a very concerning trend. The Indian government has blocked 14 messenger mobile apps they claim were used by terrorists in Pakistan.
**WES**
That list of 14 apps includes Element Chat and other privacy and security-focused free and open-source applications. According to the Indian government, these applications are being used by foreign bad actors for communication.
**CHRIS**
I struggle to understand taking these tools away from the citizens because of terrorists in Pakistan. Last year Indian government attempted to ban VLC for a while. It was only after a long, costly legal battle and 10s of thousands of users downloading bogus versions of VLC that the government reversed the ban.
**WES**
And they are only doubling down on that strategy. The local law gives the Ministry of Electronics and information technology the authority to issue an order under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, blocking access to the 14 mobile apps on the grounds that they were being used to engage in activities "prejudicial to sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order."
**CHRIS**
This has echoes of the RESTRICT ACT, which would give the US Sectary of Commerce the same kind of authority.
Free software won't always have the resources; in most cases, it simply won't be able to put up any fight or representation.
And history shows us these actions result in users' confusion at best. Finding a reliable, secure, safe chat app is already extremely hard for average users. Removing legitimate options leaves them nothing but traps.
**WES**
It also needs to be clear how rules like this impact the local developers working on those projects.
**CHRIS**
Indeed, a trend that is not our friend. We'll keep an eye on it.