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In a major move, India's telecoms department has discreetly asked smartphone manufacturers to pre-install all new handsets with a government-backed cybersecurity application that is non-removable. This order, which has been disclosed, is likely to concern leading tech companies like Apple and raise questions among privacy advocates.

An International Shift in Digital Security Regulation

To combat a growing wave of cybercrime and device misuse, India is aligning with authorities across the globe. This move echoes comparable measures enacted in nations like Russia, which are designed to block the use of lost phones for scams and promote state-backed service apps.

What Manufacturers Are Affected by the Directive?

The new order binds key mobile phone makers active in the Indian market. This encompasses Apple, which has previously locked horns with regulators over similar applications, as well as leaders like Samsung, Vivo, Oppo, and Xiaomi.

Details of the Government Mandate

An order dated 28 November provides phone companies a three-month period to guarantee that the government's Sanchar Saathi application is included on all new handsets. A notable condition is that users will not be able to remove the software.

For handsets currently in the distribution network, manufacturers are directed to push the application via system upgrades. It is important that this order was sent confidentially and was dispatched selectively to specific manufacturers.

Digital Rights Concerns Expressed

However, legal analysts have flagged serious worries regarding this decision. A lawyer specialising in technology matters commented that India's directive is a reason to worry.

“The government in essence eliminates user consent as a meaningful choice,” said Mishi Choudhary, an advocate working on digital advocacy matters.

Consumer organisations had earlier condemned a similar requirement by Russia in August for a state-backed communication app to be included on phones.

The Scope of the Domestic Smartphone Landscape

India, one of the world's biggest telephone markets, boasts more than 1.2 billion connections. Government figures show that the cybersecurity app, launched in January, has already assisted in locating over 700,000 stolen phones, with approximately 50,000 found in October by itself.

The government contends that the app is crucial to combat the “grave endangerment” of telecom cybersecurity from duplicate or spoofed IMEI numbers, which enable illicit activities and network misuse.

Apple's Stance

Apple's iOS powers an estimated 4.5% of the 735 million mobile phones in India, with the rest using Android, according to market research. While Apple includes its own first-party apps on its devices, its internal rules are said to ban the installation of any third-party app before the sale of a smartphone.

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

“It’s likely to seek a middle ground: instead of a compulsory inclusion, they might discuss and propose an alternative to nudge users towards installing the application.”

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

Understanding the IMEI and the App's Function

The IMEI, or International Mobile Equipment Identity, is a 14- to 17-digit number unique to each mobile device. It is primarily used by carriers to disable network access for phones reported as lost.

The Sanchar Saathi app is primarily designed to enable users block and locate lost or stolen phones across all telecom networks, using a national registry. It also allows them to detect, and terminate, illegal mobile connections.

Notable Usage and Outcomes

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

The government asserts that the app helps combating cyberthreats and assists in the tracking and disabling of missing phones, thereby helping police in recovering handsets and keeping counterfeits out of the illicit trade.