🔗 Share this article

In a notable decision, India's telecoms ministry has confidentially asked mobile phone manufacturers to include all new phones with a national cybersecurity app that is non-removable. This mandate, which has been disclosed, is expected to alarm leading technology companies like Apple and prompt questions among privacy advocates.

A Worldwide Shift in Digital Security Policy

To combat a growing wave of digital scams and hacking, India is following governments across the globe. This move parallels similar rules enacted in nations like Russia, which aim to block the use of lost phones for scams and encourage government-developed tools.

What Companies Are Affected by the Directive?

The recent mandate applies to leading smartphone makers active in the Indian market. This encompasses Apple, a company that has previously had disagreements with regulators over similar apps, as well as giants like Samsung, Vivo, Oppo, and Xiaomi.

The Fine Print of the Official Mandate

An directive dated 28 November allots smartphone manufacturers a 90-day window to ensure that the official "Messenger Friend" application is pre-installed on all new mobile phones. A key provision is that owners will not be able to remove the app.

For handsets already in the distribution network, companies are instructed to deliver the app via system patches. It is worth mentioning that this directive was privately circulated and was dispatched privately to specific manufacturers.

Privacy Apprehensions Voiced

However, technology analysts have flagged major concerns regarding this move. A legal expert specialising in tech law said that India's action is a cause for concern.

“The government in essence erodes user consent as a genuine choice,” stated Mishi Choudhary, an advocate working on digital rights issues.

Privacy advocates had previously questioned a similar mandate by Russia in August for a state-backed messenger 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 subscribers. Government statistics reveal that the cybersecurity app, launched in January, has already assisted in recovering over 700,000 stolen phones, with approximately 50,000 recovered in October by itself.

The government argues that the software is crucial to fight the “serious endangerment” of telecom cybersecurity from fake or spoofed IMEI numbers, which are used for scams and network misuse.

The Tech Giant's Stance

Apple's iOS powers an approximate 4.5% of the 735 million mobile phones in India, with the rest using Android, according to industry analysis. While Apple includes its own proprietary apps on its devices, its internal rules reportedly prohibit the installation of any third-party application before the sale of a smartphone.

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

“It’s probable to seek a middle ground: rather than a forced inclusion, they might negotiate and propose an option to encourage users towards downloading the app.”

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

Understanding the IMEI and the Application's Purpose

The IMEI, or International Mobile Equipment Identity, is a unique identification number assigned to each mobile device. It is primarily used by carriers to block network access for phones reported as stolen.

The Sanchar Saathi app is mainly created to help users track and locate missing smartphones across all mobile carriers, using a national database. It also lets them to identify, and disconnect, fraudulent mobile connections.

Impressive Adoption and Results

With more than 5 million installs since its launch, the software has reportedly been used to block over 3.7 million stolen or lost mobile phones. Furthermore, more than 30 million illegal connections have also been blocked through its use.

The authorities states that the tool aids in combating digital threats and helps in the tracking and disabling of missing phones, thereby aiding police in tracing devices and keeping counterfeits out of the illicit trade.