The move has raised concerns among privacy advocates and some industry experts who say requiring a non-removable government app undermines user choice.
India has ordered major smartphone makers to preinstall a government-owned cybersecurity app on all new devices and prevent users from deleting it, Reuters reported on Monday citing a government directive.
The order, dated Nov. 28, gives companies including Apple, Samsung, Vivo, Oppo and Xiaomi 90 days to add the Sanchar Saathi app to every new phone sold in India. For phones already in stores or warehouses, manufacturers must install the app through software updates. The government did not publicly release the directive and sent it privately to selected companies.
Officials say the app will help fight growing cybercrime, phone theft and fraud involving spoofed or duplicate IMEI numbers, which are unique identifiers for each device. India has more than 1.2 billion telecom users, and authorities say Sanchar Saathi has already helped recover hundreds of thousands of stolen or lost phones since its launch in January. The app also lets users block lost devices and identify fraudulent mobile connections.
The move has raised concerns among privacy advocates and some industry experts who say requiring a non-removable government app undermines user choice. Technology lawyer Mishi Choudhary said the directive removes “meaningful” consent from consumers.
The requirement is expected to be especially difficult for Apple. The company’s internal policies prohibit installing any government or third-party apps on devices before they are sold. Analysts say Apple may try to negotiate an alternative, such as encouraging users to download the app voluntarily instead of mandating it.
Apple, Google, Samsung and Xiaomi did not respond to requests for comment, and India’s telecom ministry also did not comment.
Sanchar Saathi has been downloaded more than 5 million times and has helped block millions of fraudulent or stolen devices, according to government figures. Authorities say the system improves security for both consumers and telecom networks.
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