AliExpress is a global online retail service platform which was launched by the Alibaba Group in the year 2010. It connects small businesses and manufacturers operating in China and Singapore with international buyers. Thus, AliExpress functions as an online marketplace for independent sellers. Products available on the platform are wide ranging, such as electronics, fashion, home products, jewellery and more.
AliExpress started as a business-to-business buying portal but has expanded over the years to include business-to-consumer, consumer-to-consumer, payment services and cloud computing. It is present in over 220 countries all over the world. However, it is mainly popular in Russia and Brazil. AliExpress supports multiple languages and offers features like delivery guarantees, free shipping and free returns. In March 2024, AliExpress mobile app reached 8.18 million users.
Ban in India
AliExpress was banned by the Government of India on 25th November 2020. It was among the 43 Chinese apps banned by GOI. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology of the Government of India used its powers under Section 69A of the IT Act to ban AliExpress and other Chinese apps. This was not an isolated action by New Delhi. Earlier, the government had banned 59 Chinese mobile apps in June 2020, followed by a ban on 118 more apps in September 2020.
The Government of India cited threat to national security as a major reason for putting a ban on 43 Chinese apps, including AliExpress. As per the government, data collected by the Chinese apps carried the threat of being misused for espionage and other malicious activities against India. Data privacy was another concern cited by the government for banning the apps. The lack of transparency by the apps in the data privacy practices adopted by them was a serious concern. Other reasons for the ban included geopolitical tensions between India and China after Galwan Valley clash, promotion of domestic e-commerce stores and protection of Indian consumers from counterfeit products.
In January 2025, the ban on AliExpress and other Chinese apps was expanded by the Government of India.
Rumours and Clarification
In August 2025, several internet users in India reported that the homepage of AliExpress website was accessible. This set the speculations in motion that AliExpress and other Chinese platforms had been restored in the country. However, officials of the Government of India clarified that no official order to unblock these platforms had been issued. Website accessibility was attributed to a technical glitch.
AliExpress continues to be banned in India. The app is still unavailable on Play Store and App Store in India, while the website continues to be inaccessible.
Santosh Kumar is a Professional SEO and Blogger, With the help of this blog he is trying to share top 10 lists, facts, entertainment news from India and all around the world.
