🔗 Share this article

In a notable move, India's telecoms authority has confidentially asked mobile phone companies to pre-install all new handsets with a state-owned cybersecurity application that cannot be deleted. This mandate, which was revealed, is set to concern major technology companies like Apple and raise questions among privacy advocates.

A Worldwide Shift in Cybersecurity Policy

Addressing a growing wave of cybercrime and phone theft, The Indian authorities is aligning with regulators worldwide. This move mirrors recent measures introduced in nations like Russia, which are designed to curb the use of stolen phones for scams and promote government-developed applications.

What Manufacturers Are Bound by the Order?

The new order affects key mobile phone companies operating in the domestic market. These include Apple, a company that has in the past clashed with regulators over comparable apps, as well as giants like Samsung, Vivo, Oppo, and Xiaomi.

Details of the Official Order

An order dated 28 November allots smartphone companies a 90-day deadline to guarantee that the government's "Messenger Friend" application is factory-loaded on all new handsets. A notable condition is that users will not be able to remove the software.

For devices already in the distribution network, companies are instructed to deliver the app via software updates. It is worth mentioning that this directive was sent confidentially and was communicated privately to chosen firms.

User Consent Worries Expressed

However, legal analysts have flagged major concerns regarding this decision. A legal expert focusing in technology issues stated that India's directive is a worrying development.

“The government in essence removes user consent as a real choice,” said Mishi Choudhary, an expert working on internet advocacy matters.

Digital rights groups had earlier questioned a similar mandate by Russia in August for a state-backed messenger app to be pre-installed on phones.

The Scope of the Domestic Market

India, one of the world's biggest telephone markets, boasts over 1.2 billion subscribers. Official figures reveal that the Sanchar Saathi application, launched in January, has reportedly assisted in tracking down over 700,000 stolen phones, with approximately 50,000 found in October by itself.

The authorities states that the tool is essential to tackle the “significant endangerment” of telecom cybersecurity from cloned or tampered IMEI numbers, which facilitate illicit activities and network misuse.

The Tech Giant's Stance

Apple's iOS powers an approximate 4.5% of the 735 million smartphones in India, with the rest using Android, according to industry analysis. While Apple pre-installs its own first-party apps on its devices, its company guidelines are said to forbid the inclusion of any third-party app before the purchase of a device.

“Apple has in the past declined these kinds of mandates from authorities,” commented Tarun Pathak, a analyst at Counterpoint.

“It’s probable to pursue a negotiated solution: instead of a mandatory inclusion, they might negotiate and ask for an option to nudge users towards downloading the application.”

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

The Role of the IMEI and the Application's Function

The IMEI, or International Mobile Equipment Identity, is a unique identification number unique to each handset. It is most commonly used by operators to block cellular access for phones reported as lost.

The Sanchar Saathi app is mainly designed to enable users track and track missing smartphones across all telecom networks, using a national registry. It also lets them to identify, and disconnect, illegal mobile connections.

Impressive Usage and Outcomes

With more than 5 million installs since its inception, the app has reportedly helped block over 3.7 million missing 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 assists in the locating and blocking of missing phones, thereby helping police in tracing devices and keeping counterfeits out of the black market.