🔗 Share this article

In a notable decision, India's telecommunications department has discreetly instructed mobile phone makers to pre-install all new handsets with a government-backed cybersecurity app that cannot be deleted. This mandate, which has been disclosed, is expected to concern leading tech companies like Apple and prompt questions among consumer watchdogs.

An International Pattern in Cybersecurity Policy

To combat a rising tide of digital scams and hacking, India is following authorities across the globe. This move mirrors comparable measures framed in countries like Russia, which are designed to curb the use of stolen phones for illicit activities and push official applications.

What Manufacturers Are Impacted by the Directive?

The recent order applies to leading smartphone makers active in the domestic market. These include Apple, which has previously had disagreements with regulators over comparable applications, as well as giants like Samsung, Vivo, Oppo, and Xiaomi.

Details of the Official Mandate

An directive dated 28 November allots phone manufacturers a 90-day period to ensure that the government's Sanchar Saathi application is factory-loaded on all new handsets. A key stipulation is that users cannot disable the application.

For handsets currently in the distribution network, makers are required to push the application via software upgrades. It is notable that this order was not made public and was communicated privately to specific manufacturers.

User Consent Worries Raised

However, legal specialists have flagged serious concerns regarding this policy. A legal expert specialising in technology matters stated that India's step is a reason to worry.

“The government in essence erodes user consent as a real choice,” said Mishi Choudhary, an expert working on digital rights matters.

Privacy advocates had earlier criticised a similar requirement by Russia in August for a state-backed messenger app to be pre-installed on phones.

The Scale of the Indian Market

India, one of the world's biggest mobile markets, boasts over 1.2 billion mobile users. Government data reveal that the Sanchar Saathi app, launched in January, has already helped recovering over 700,000 stolen phones, with approximately 50,000 recovered in October by itself.

The authorities argues that the software is crucial to tackle the “serious endangerment” of mobile network cybersecurity from fake or spoofed IMEI numbers, which enable scams and system misuse.

The Tech Giant's Likely Response

Apple's iOS runs on an estimated 4.5% of the 735 million mobile phones in India, with the vast majority using Android, as per industry analysis. While Apple includes its own proprietary applications on its devices, its company guidelines are said to prohibit the inclusion of any third-party app before the sale of a smartphone.

“Apple has traditionally declined such mandates from governments,” commented Tarun Pathak, a analyst at Counterpoint.

“It’s expected to seek a compromise: instead of a compulsory inclusion, they might discuss and ask for an alternative to encourage users towards installing the app.”

Requests for response from Apple, Google, Samsung, and Xiaomi went unresponded. India’s telecoms department also remained silent.

The Role of the IMEI and the App's Function

The IMEI, or International Mobile Equipment Identity, is a 14- to 17-digit number unique to each mobile device. It is most commonly used by carriers to cut off cellular access for phones reported as lost.

The government app is mainly designed to enable users block and track lost or stolen phones across all telecom networks, using a national database. It also allows them to detect, and terminate, illegal mobile connections.

Impressive Adoption and Results

With over 5 million downloads since its launch, the software has reportedly helped disable more than 3.7 million stolen or lost mobile phones. Furthermore, more than 30 million fraudulent connections have also been terminated through its use.

The authorities states that the software aids in combating digital threats and assists in the tracking and blocking of missing phones, thereby helping police in recovering handsets and preventing counterfeits out of the illicit trade.