🔗 Share this article

In a significant move, India's telecoms ministry has discreetly asked smartphone makers to pre-install all new handsets with a government-backed cybersecurity app that must remain installed. This mandate, which was revealed, is set to alarm leading tech firms like Apple and prompt concerns among consumer watchdogs.

A Worldwide Shift in Cybersecurity Policy

Addressing a growing wave of cybercrime and device misuse, India is following regulators internationally. This move mirrors recent rules enacted in nations like Russia, which seek to block the use of stolen phones for fraud and encourage state-backed applications.

Which Companies Are Bound by the Order?

The recent directive affects major smartphone companies active in the domestic market. These include Apple, a company that has previously locked horns with the telecom authority over comparable applications, as well as giants like Samsung, Vivo, Oppo, and Xiaomi.

Details of the Official Order

An order dated 28 November allots phone manufacturers a 90-day deadline to guarantee that the official "Messenger Friend" application is included on all new mobile phones. A notable stipulation is that consumers are prevented from deleting the application.

For devices currently in the retail pipeline, manufacturers are required to deliver the app via system updates. It is important that this order was sent confidentially and was dispatched privately to select companies.

Digital Rights Concerns Expressed

However, technology specialists have expressed serious apprehensions regarding this decision. A legal expert focusing in technology matters stated that India's directive is a reason to worry.

“The government effectively removes user consent as a real choice,” stated Mishi Choudhary, an expert working on internet rights issues.

Digital rights groups had previously criticised a similar requirement by Russia in August for a state-backed communication called Max to be included on phones.

The Scope of the Indian Smartphone Landscape

India, among the world's largest telephone markets, boasts more than 1.2 billion mobile users. Government figures indicate that the Sanchar Saathi application, launched in January, has already assisted in tracking down over 700,000 lost phones, with an estimated 50,000 found in October by itself.

The authorities contends that the tool is essential to combat the “serious endangerment” of mobile network cybersecurity from fake or spoofed IMEI numbers, which are used for illicit activities and network misuse.

The Tech Giant's Stance

Apple's iOS runs on an estimated 4.5% of the 735 million smartphones in India, with the rest using Android, according to market research. While Apple pre-installs its own proprietary apps on its devices, its internal rules are said to forbid the installation of any government app before the sale of a device.

“Apple has historically resisted such demands from authorities,” commented Tarun Pathak, a research director at Counterpoint.

“It’s expected to aim for a middle ground: instead of a mandatory pre-install, they might negotiate and ask for an alternative to nudge users towards downloading the app.”

Queries for comment from Apple, Google, Samsung, and Xiaomi were unanswered. India’s telecommunications department also did not respond.

The Role of the IMEI and the App's Purpose

The IMEI, or International Mobile Equipment Identity, is a 14- to 17-digit number assigned to each handset. It is most commonly used by carriers to disable cellular access for phones flagged as lost.

The Sanchar Saathi application is primarily intended to enable users track and track lost or stolen phones across all mobile carriers, using a central registry. It also lets them to identify, and disconnect, unauthorised mobile connections.

Notable Usage and Results

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

The authorities states that the app aids in preventing digital threats and helps in the tracking and disabling of missing phones, thereby aiding police in tracing handsets and preventing counterfeits out of the black market.