🔗 Share this article The Indian government Directs Smartphone Makers to Preload Handsets with Government-Backed Cyber Safety App In a significant step, India's telecoms authority has privately asked smartphone companies to pre-install all new handsets with a state-owned cybersecurity app that cannot be deleted. This directive, which has come to light, is set to antagonise leading tech companies like Apple and prompt questions among digital rights groups. A Worldwide Trend in Digital Security Regulation To combat a growing wave of digital scams and phone theft, India is joining authorities across the globe. This step mirrors similar measures introduced in countries like Russia, which aim to prevent the use of lost phones for fraud and encourage official tools. Which Companies Are Affected by the Order? The recent mandate applies to key mobile phone companies operating in the Indian market. Among them are Apple, which has in the past had disagreements with the telecom authority over comparable apps, as well as leaders like Samsung, Vivo, Oppo, and Xiaomi. Specifics of the Government Order An order dated 28 November allots smartphone manufacturers a 90-day window to ensure that the government's "Messenger Friend" app is included on all new mobile phones. A notable provision is that users cannot disable the software. For devices already in the distribution network, manufacturers are instructed to deliver the application via software patches. It is notable that this order was privately circulated and was sent selectively to specific manufacturers. Privacy Concerns Expressed However, legal experts have raised serious apprehensions regarding this decision. A lawyer specialising in tech law said that India's action is a worrying development. “The government effectively removes user consent as a meaningful choice,” stated Mishi Choudhary, an advocate working on digital advocacy issues. Privacy advocates had previously condemned a comparable mandate by Russia in August for a government-sponsored messenger app to be included on phones. The Size of the Indian Smartphone Landscape India, one of the world's largest telephone markets, boasts over 1.2 billion subscribers. Official data reveal that the Sanchar Saathi application, introduced in January, has reportedly assisted in tracking down over 700,000 stolen phones, with approximately 50,000 found in October alone. The government states that the tool is vital to combat the “grave endangerment” of mobile network cybersecurity from cloned or spoofed IMEI numbers, which are used for scams and system misuse. Apple's Stance Apple's iOS runs on an approximate 4.5% of the 735 million smartphones in India, with the rest using Android, according to industry analysis. While Apple pre-installs its own proprietary apps on its devices, its company policies reportedly ban the inclusion of any government app before the purchase of a smartphone. “Apple has traditionally resisted these kinds of requests from authorities,” noted Tarun Pathak, a research director at Counterpoint. “It’s expected to aim for a middle ground: instead of a forced inclusion, they might negotiate and propose an option to prompt users towards downloading the application.” Requests for comment from Apple, Google, Samsung, and Xiaomi were unanswered. India’s telecommunications ministry also remained silent. Understanding the IMEI and the Application's Function The IMEI, or International Mobile Equipment Identity, is a 14- to 17-digit number unique to each mobile device. It is typically used by operators to block cellular access for phones reported as stolen. The Sanchar Saathi application is primarily created to help users block and locate missing phones across all telecom networks, using a central database. It also lets them to detect, and disconnect, illegal mobile connections. Impressive Adoption and Outcomes With more than 5 million installs since its launch, the app has already been used to disable over 3.7 million stolen or lost mobile phones. Furthermore, over 30 million fraudulent connections have also been disconnected through its use. The government asserts that the tool helps preventing cyberthreats and helps in the locating and disabling of lost or stolen phones, thereby helping police in recovering handsets and preventing counterfeits out of the black market.