🔗 Share this article

In a significant decision, India's telecoms ministry has confidentially instructed smartphone manufacturers to pre-install all new devices with a government-backed cybersecurity tool that cannot be deleted. This order, which has been disclosed, is set to concern major technology firms like Apple and prompt questions among consumer watchdogs.

A Worldwide Shift in Digital Security Policy

In tackling a rising tide of online fraud and device misuse, The Indian authorities is aligning with regulators across the globe. This action echoes comparable regulations enacted in countries like Russia, which seek to block the use of stolen phones for fraud and push official applications.

Which Companies Are Affected by the Directive?

The new mandate binds major smartphone companies operating in the Indian market. This encompasses Apple, which has in the past had disagreements with regulators over similar apps, as well as giants like Samsung, Vivo, Oppo, and Xiaomi.

Details of the Official Mandate

An directive dated 28 November provides phone companies a three-month deadline to guarantee that the government's "Messenger Friend" application is pre-installed on all new devices. A notable provision is that owners cannot disable the application.

For phones currently in the distribution network, companies are instructed to send the app via software patches. It is worth mentioning that this order was sent confidentially and was communicated in confidence to specific companies.

User Consent Worries Expressed

However, technology analysts have expressed major worries regarding this move. A legal expert specialising in tech issues stated that India's step is a reason to worry.

“The government in essence removes user consent as a meaningful choice,” commented Mishi Choudhary, an advocate working on digital advocacy issues.

Digital rights groups had previously questioned a comparable requirement by Russia in August for a state-backed messenger called Max to be included on phones.

The Scope of the Indian Market

India, one of the world's biggest telephone markets, boasts more than 1.2 billion mobile users. Government data indicate that the Sanchar Saathi application, launched in January, has already helped tracking down more than 700,000 lost phones, with an estimated 50,000 recovered in October alone.

The authorities contends that the app is essential to fight the “serious endangerment” of telecom cybersecurity from fake or tampered IMEI numbers, which are used for fraud and system abuse.

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 rest using Android, as per market research. While Apple pre-installs its own proprietary applications on its devices, its internal policies reportedly prohibit the inclusion of any government application before the purchase of a smartphone.

“Apple has in the past resisted these kinds of demands from governments,” noted Tarun Pathak, a analyst at Counterpoint.

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

Queries for comment from Apple, Google, Samsung, and Xiaomi went unanswered. India’s telecoms department also remained silent.

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 mobile device. It is typically used by carriers to disable cellular access for phones reported as stolen.

The Sanchar Saathi application is mainly intended to help users block and track lost or stolen phones across all telecom networks, using a national database. It also allows them to detect, and terminate, unauthorised mobile connections.

Impressive Adoption and Results

With more than 5 million installs since its release, the app has reportedly helped block over 3.7 million stolen or lost mobile phones. Moreover, more than 30 million fraudulent connections have also been blocked through its use.

The authorities asserts that the app helps preventing cyberthreats and helps in the tracking and blocking of lost or stolen phones, thereby aiding police in tracing handsets and preventing counterfeits out of the black market.