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In a major step, India's telecoms authority has privately instructed smartphone makers to pre-install all new devices with a government-backed cybersecurity application that is non-removable. This order, which has come to light, is likely to alarm major technology companies like Apple and raise concerns among consumer watchdogs.

An International Pattern in Cybersecurity Regulation

Addressing a rising tide of online fraud and device misuse, India is aligning with governments across the globe. This step parallels similar rules introduced in countries like Russia, which are designed to curb the use of stolen phones for scams and promote state-backed service apps.

What Companies Are Affected by the Order?

The latest order applies to key mobile phone makers active in the Indian market. This encompasses Apple, a company that has in the past had disagreements with regulators over similar applications, as well as leaders like Samsung, Vivo, Oppo, and Xiaomi.

Details of the Official Order

An order dated 28 November allots phone companies a three-month deadline to guarantee that the government's Sanchar Saathi application is factory-loaded on all new devices. A critical provision is that consumers will not be able to remove the app.

For handsets already in the distribution network, makers are directed to send the app via software patches. It is worth mentioning that this order was sent confidentially and was sent selectively to specific companies.

Privacy Worries Raised

However, legal experts have expressed major apprehensions regarding this move. A lawyer focusing in tech issues stated that India's step is a reason to worry.

“The government in essence erodes user consent as a meaningful choice,” said Mishi Choudhary, an expert working on internet rights matters.

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

The Scale of the Indian Market

India, one of the world's largest mobile markets, boasts more than 1.2 billion connections. Government figures show that the cybersecurity application, launched in January, has reportedly helped locating over 700,000 stolen phones, with an estimated 50,000 found in October by itself.

The government contends that the tool is vital to fight the “significant endangerment” of telecom cybersecurity from fake or spoofed IMEI numbers, which are used for fraud and system misuse.

Apple's Likely Response

Apple's iOS powers an estimated 4.5% of the 735 million smartphones in India, with the rest using Android, as per industry analysis. While Apple includes its own proprietary apps on its devices, its internal rules reportedly forbid the inclusion of any third-party app before the sale of a smartphone.

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

“It’s expected to aim for a negotiated solution: instead of a compulsory inclusion, they might negotiate and propose an option to nudge users towards installing the application.”

Requests for comment from Apple, Google, Samsung, and Xiaomi were unresponded. India’s telecommunications ministry 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 unique to each handset. It is typically used by networks to block cellular access for phones reported as stolen.

The Sanchar Saathi app is primarily designed to help users track and locate lost or stolen phones across all telecom networks, using a national registry. It also enables them to spot, and terminate, unauthorised mobile connections.

Notable Adoption and Outcomes

With over 5 million downloads since its launch, the app has reportedly been used to block more than 3.7 million missing mobile phones. Moreover, more than 30 million illegal connections have also been blocked through its use.

The government states that the app aids in combating digital threats and assists in the tracking and disabling of lost or stolen phones, thereby aiding police in tracing devices and preventing counterfeits out of the illicit trade.