🔗 Share this article

In a major step, India's telecoms authority has privately instructed mobile phone companies to pre-install all new handsets with a government-backed cybersecurity application that must remain installed. This order, which has been disclosed, is expected to concern major technology companies like Apple and prompt questions among privacy advocates.

An International Trend in Digital Security Regulation

To combat a rising tide of online fraud and hacking, India is following authorities internationally. This move parallels comparable rules enacted in countries like Russia, which are designed to block the use of stolen phones for fraud and encourage government-developed tools.

Which Companies Are Bound by the Directive?

The new order binds key mobile phone makers active in the domestic market. This encompasses Apple, a company that has previously had disagreements with regulators over comparable applications, as well as giants like Samsung, Vivo, Oppo, and Xiaomi.

Specifics of the Government Mandate

An directive dated 28 November provides phone manufacturers a 90-day deadline to ensure that the government's "Messenger Friend" app is included on all new handsets. A critical condition is that consumers are prevented from deleting the app.

For devices already in the distribution network, manufacturers are instructed to deliver the app via software upgrades. It is notable that this directive was not made public and was dispatched in confidence to select firms.

Privacy Worries Raised

However, legal experts have expressed serious concerns regarding this move. A legal expert focusing in tech law said that India's action is a cause for concern.

“The government practically eliminates user consent as a genuine choice,” commented Mishi Choudhary, an expert working on digital rights issues.

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

The Size of the Domestic Market

India, among the world's biggest telephone markets, boasts more than 1.2 billion subscribers. Official figures indicate that the cybersecurity app, introduced in January, has reportedly helped locating more than 700,000 lost phones, with around 50,000 found in October alone.

The government states that the software is crucial to combat the “serious endangerment” of mobile network cybersecurity from duplicate or spoofed IMEI numbers, which are used for scams and network abuse.

Apple's Stance

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 pre-installs its own first-party apps on its devices, its internal rules reportedly forbid the inclusion of any third-party app before the sale of a device.

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

“It’s expected to seek a compromise: instead of a compulsory pre-install, they might discuss and ask for an option to nudge users towards installing the app.”

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

The Role of the IMEI and the App's Purpose

The IMEI, or International Mobile Equipment Identity, is a unique identification number unique to each mobile device. It is primarily used by operators to cut off cellular access for phones flagged as lost.

The Sanchar Saathi app is primarily intended to enable users track and track missing phones across all telecom networks, using a national registry. It also enables them to identify, and terminate, fraudulent mobile connections.

Notable Adoption and Outcomes

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

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