India Orders Mandatory Pre-Installation of Government Cyber Security App on Smartphones
India’s telecoms ministry has ordered smartphone manufacturers to pre-install a state-owned cyber security app on all new devices, sparking privacy concerns and likely friction with global tech giants, including Apple. The directive marks the latest government effort to combat rising cyber crime and mobile phone fraud in one of the world’s largest telecom markets.
Mandatory Installation of Sanchar Saathi App
According to a private government order dated 28 November, smartphone makers such as Apple, Samsung, Vivo, Oppo and Xiaomi must preload the Sanchar Saathi app on all new phones within 90 days. The directive also requires that users be unable to delete or disable the app. For devices already in the supply chain, the telecoms ministry instructed companies to push the app via software updates.
The app, launched in January, is designed to help users block and track lost or stolen smartphones across all telecom networks using a central registry. It can also detect and disconnect fraudulent mobile connections. Government data shows it has recovered over 700,000 lost phones, including 50,000 in October alone.
Concerns Over Privacy and User Consent
While the government argues the move will enhance cyber security, privacy advocates have voiced serious concerns. Technology lawyer and internet rights advocate Mishi Choudhary said the decision “removes user consent as a meaningful choice,” noting that mandatory pre-installations could set a worrying precedent.
The move mirrors a similar requirement in Russia earlier this year, where authorities mandated pre-installation of a state-backed messaging app, a step that drew international criticism from digital rights groups.
Apple’s History of Resistance
Apple is expected to be the most resistant to the new order. The company’s internal policies prohibit the pre-installation of any third-party or government app before sale. “Apple has historically refused such requests from governments,” said Tarun Pathak, research director at Counterpoint Research.
Industry experts believe Apple may seek a compromise by offering users the option to install the app during setup, rather than preloading it on devices. Apple’s iOS currently powers about 4.5% of India’s 735 million smartphones, while the rest use Android systems, according to Counterpoint.
Balancing Security and Autonomy
The telecoms ministry defended its decision, citing the need to address “serious endangerment” to telecom cyber security caused by duplicate or spoofed IMEI numbers used for scams and network abuse. The International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) is a unique 14- to 17-digit number used to identify and block stolen or counterfeit devices.
Since its launch, Sanchar Saathi has been downloaded more than 5 million times and helped block over 3.7 million stolen or lost phones. It has also led to the termination of more than 30 million fraudulent connections, according to government data.
While authorities view the app as an essential tool for public safety, privacy experts warn that removing the option to uninstall it may erode digital freedom and increase government surveillance risks.
with inputs from Reuters