🔗 Share this article

In a major step, India's telecommunications authority has privately directed smartphone companies to include all new handsets with a national cybersecurity app that must remain installed. This directive, which was revealed, is likely to alarm leading technology firms like Apple and prompt concerns among consumer watchdogs.

A Global Shift in Cybersecurity Policy

To combat a growing wave of cybercrime and hacking, India is following governments across the globe. This move echoes similar measures introduced in countries like Russia, which seek to curb the use of stolen phones for scams and encourage state-backed tools.

What Manufacturers Are Affected by the Directive?

The latest mandate applies to leading smartphone brands active in the Indian market. This encompasses Apple, which has in the past clashed with regulators over comparable apps, as well as leaders like Samsung, Vivo, Oppo, and Xiaomi.

The Fine Print of the Official Order

An directive dated 28 November provides phone companies a 90-day window to ensure that the government's "Messenger Friend" app is factory-loaded on all new handsets. A key condition is that owners are prevented from deleting the application.

For devices currently in the supply chain, makers are directed to send the application via software patches. It is notable that this order was sent confidentially and was sent privately to specific firms.

User Consent Concerns Voiced

However, technology experts have flagged major worries regarding this move. A legal expert focusing in technology matters said that India's action is a worrying development.

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

Privacy advocates had previously criticised a comparable mandate by Russia in August for a state-backed messenger called Max to be pre-installed on phones.

The Scope of the Domestic Market

India, among the world's biggest mobile markets, boasts more than 1.2 billion connections. Official data show that the Sanchar Saathi application, introduced in January, has reportedly helped tracking down over 700,000 lost phones, with an estimated 50,000 recovered in October alone.

The authorities argues that the app is crucial to fight the “significant endangerment” of telecom cybersecurity from duplicate or tampered IMEI numbers, which facilitate scams and system abuse.

Apple's Position

Apple's iOS powers an estimated 4.5% of the 735 million mobile phones in India, with the rest using Android, according to industry analysis. While Apple pre-installs its own proprietary apps on its devices, its company policies reportedly prohibit the installation of any third-party application before the purchase of a device.

“Apple has in the past declined these kinds of demands from authorities,” noted Tarun Pathak, a research director at Counterpoint.

“It’s expected to aim for a middle ground: instead of a mandatory inclusion, they might negotiate and propose an alternative to nudge users towards downloading the application.”

Queries for comment from Apple, Google, Samsung, and Xiaomi went unresponded. India’s telecoms ministry also offered no comment.

Understanding the IMEI and the App's Function

The IMEI, or International Mobile Equipment Identity, is a unique identification number unique to each handset. It is most commonly used by carriers to cut off network access for phones reported as stolen.

The government app is mainly intended to enable users track and track lost or stolen phones across all mobile carriers, using a central registry. It also lets them to detect, and disconnect, fraudulent mobile connections.

Impressive Usage and Outcomes

With more than 5 million installs since its inception, the software has already been used to disable more than 3.7 million missing mobile phones. Additionally, more than 30 million fraudulent connections have also been blocked through its use.

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