🔗 Share this article

In a notable step, India's telecoms ministry has discreetly directed mobile phone manufacturers to preload all new handsets with a government-backed cybersecurity app that cannot be deleted. This directive, which has been disclosed, is likely to concern leading tech firms like Apple and raise questions among consumer watchdogs.

A Global Shift in Cybersecurity Policy

Addressing a recent surge of digital scams and device misuse, The Indian authorities is aligning with authorities worldwide. This move mirrors recent regulations framed in nations like Russia, which aim to prevent the use of lost phones for illicit activities and push official applications.

Which Manufacturers Are Bound by the Directive?

The recent mandate binds leading mobile phone brands operating in the Indian market. Among them are Apple, a company that has in the past clashed with the telecom authority over similar applications, as well as giants like Samsung, Vivo, Oppo, and Xiaomi.

Specifics of the Government Order

An directive dated 28 November provides smartphone companies a three-month period to ensure that the official "Messenger Friend" app is included on all new handsets. A key provision is that consumers will not be able to remove the app.

For handsets currently in the retail pipeline, companies are directed to push the app via system upgrades. It is notable that this order was privately circulated and was dispatched privately to select firms.

User Consent Apprehensions Voiced

However, technology experts have raised significant apprehensions regarding this move. A legal expert specialising in tech matters commented that India's action is a worrying development.

“The government in essence removes user consent as a genuine choice,” said Mishi Choudhary, an advocate working on internet rights issues.

Privacy advocates had earlier questioned a similar mandate by Russia in August for a state-backed communication called Max to be included on phones.

The Scale of the Domestic Smartphone Landscape

India, among the world's largest telephone markets, boasts over 1.2 billion subscribers. Official statistics show that the cybersecurity application, introduced in January, has reportedly assisted in recovering more than 700,000 stolen phones, with approximately 50,000 found in October by itself.

The authorities states that the app is vital to fight the “grave endangerment” of telecom cybersecurity from fake or tampered IMEI numbers, which enable scams and network abuse.

The Tech Giant's Position

Apple's iOS powers 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 first-party apps on its devices, its company policies reportedly forbid the inclusion of any government app before the sale of a smartphone.

“Apple has historically refused these kinds of requests from authorities,” noted Tarun Pathak, a research director at Counterpoint.

“It’s expected to pursue a compromise: rather than a forced pre-install, they might discuss and propose an option to encourage users towards downloading the application.”

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

Understanding the IMEI and the App's Function

The IMEI, or International Mobile Equipment Identity, is a unique identification number assigned to each mobile device. It is primarily used by carriers to block network access for phones reported as lost.

The Sanchar Saathi application is primarily intended 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 block, fraudulent mobile connections.

Notable Adoption and Outcomes

With over 5 million downloads since its release, the software has already helped disable more than 3.7 million missing mobile phones. Furthermore, more than 30 million fraudulent connections have also been terminated through its use.

The government asserts that the app helps preventing digital threats and assists in the tracking and blocking of missing phones, thereby aiding police in tracing devices and preventing counterfeits out of the black market.