The Tap Tap app, owned by Chinese tech giant Tencent, is a popular mobile game distribution platform and store catering primarily to Chinese users. With many region-locked and restricted games not available on other major app stores like Google Play Store and Apple App Store, Tap Tap provides easy access to thousands of free and paid games for Chinese citizens.
However, since the Tap Tap app itself is not available on Indian app stores, many users resort to downloading Tap Tap APK files from third party websites. This raises questions around the legal status of using Tap Tap in India. Let’s take a closer look:
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## Downloading Tap Tap APKs **from Unknown Sources
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*To access the Tap Tap app store in India, users need to download the APK file from third party websites and manually install it through APK installers. However, both Google and Apple expressly prohibit downloading apps from outside their sanctioned app stores as per their terms of service.
Bypassing these terms and downloading apps from unverified sources is considered a policy violation that can lead to account suspension. So while using Tap Tap itself may not be illegal in India, accessing it via APKs breaches usage terms of app stores.
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Ambiguous Stance on Gambling Apps
*A major attraction of Tap Tap for users worldwide is the availability of popular casino and betting games banned on other app stores. However, the legal status of real money gaming apps is ambiguous in India.
Per the Public Gambling Act of 1867, running or being found in a common gaming house is prohibited. However, most states do not have laws expressly banning online gambling. Only a few states like Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu have passed legislation prohibiting online betting apps and websites.
So while gambling mechanics in games available on Tap Tap may be illegal in some Indian states, in most states there are no clear laws prohibiting real money gaming apps.
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Issues Around Intellectual Property Violations
*Another concern around Tap Tap is that it allows easy access to pirated versions of games in violation of intellectual property laws.
For example, PUBG Mobile was released in China specifically for the Tap Tap app while the global version remained banned. So Tap Tap enables Indian users to illegally access games like PUBG Mobile which are restricted in the country.
Downloading or sharing pirated games is prohibited under the Indian Copyright Act 1957. So users should be cautious of IP violations when accessing restricted content on Tap Tap.
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No Official Statement from Authorities
**While there are ambiguities around Tap Tap’s legal status, so far Indian authorities have not issued any official statement prohibiting the app.
Unlike other Chinese apps like TikTok which were banned by the government, there are no reports of Tap Tap facing restrictions yet.
However, given the app’s Chinese ownership and potential for misuse, authorities may regulate or restrict Tap Tap in future.
Exercising Caution is Advisable
To summarize, while Tap Tap itself appears to be in a legal grey area currently, users should exercise caution while accessing the app via third party APKs or downloading games with gambling features or IP issues.
The safest approach is avoiding apps and games that clearly violate gambling laws in your state or contain pirated IP. As laws evolve to regulate online gaming, Tap Tap’s future in India remains uncertain.
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