🔗 Share this article

In a major step, India's telecoms authority has privately directed mobile phone companies to preload all new devices with a state-owned cybersecurity app that must remain installed. This mandate, which has been disclosed, is set to alarm leading technology firms like Apple and prompt questions among digital rights groups.

A Worldwide Shift in Digital Security Policy

In tackling a recent surge of online fraud and phone theft, India is joining regulators across the globe. This move mirrors recent rules enacted in countries like Russia, which seek to prevent the use of stolen phones for scams and promote government-developed tools.

Which Companies Are Impacted by the Directive?

The recent directive applies to key mobile phone companies active in the Indian market. This encompasses Apple, which has previously locked horns with regulators over comparable apps, as well as leaders like Samsung, Vivo, Oppo, and Xiaomi.

Specifics of the Official Order

An directive dated 28 November allots smartphone manufacturers a 90-day window to guarantee that the government's Sanchar Saathi application is pre-installed on all new mobile phones. A notable condition is that owners are prevented from deleting the app.

For phones already in the supply chain, companies are instructed to send the application via system updates. It is notable that this directive was privately circulated and was sent privately to select companies.

Digital Rights Worries Expressed

However, legal experts have raised significant apprehensions regarding this policy. A legal expert focusing in tech matters stated that India's action is a cause for concern.

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

Consumer organisations had earlier criticised a similar requirement by Russia in August for a government-sponsored messenger called Max to be included on phones.

The Size of the Indian Market

India, among the world's biggest mobile markets, boasts over 1.2 billion subscribers. Government data reveal that the Sanchar Saathi application, launched in January, has already assisted in recovering over 700,000 stolen phones, with approximately 50,000 found in October alone.

The authorities contends that the software is vital to tackle the “grave endangerment” of mobile network cybersecurity from cloned or spoofed IMEI numbers, which enable scams and network misuse.

The Tech Giant's Likely Response

Apple's iOS runs on an approximate 4.5% of the 735 million mobile phones in India, with the vast majority using Android, according to market research. While Apple pre-installs its own first-party applications on its devices, its company guidelines are said to prohibit the installation of any third-party app before the sale of a smartphone.

“Apple has traditionally refused such demands from governments,” noted Tarun Pathak, a research director at Counterpoint.

“It’s expected to aim for a compromise: instead of a compulsory pre-install, they might negotiate and propose an alternative to nudge users towards downloading the application.”

Requests for response from Apple, Google, Samsung, and Xiaomi were unresponded. India’s telecommunications department also did not respond.

The Role of the IMEI and the Application's Purpose

The IMEI, or International Mobile Equipment Identity, is a 14- to 17-digit number assigned to each handset. It is typically used by carriers to cut off cellular access for phones reported as lost.

The Sanchar Saathi app is primarily created to help users track and locate missing smartphones across all telecom networks, using a central registry. It also allows them to detect, and disconnect, unauthorised mobile connections.

Impressive Adoption and Results

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

The authorities states that the software helps preventing cyberthreats and assists in the locating and disabling of missing phones, thereby helping police in recovering handsets and keeping cloned devices out of the black market.