🔗 Share this article

In a notable decision, India's telecoms authority has discreetly directed mobile phone manufacturers to preload all new phones with a state-owned cybersecurity tool that is non-removable. This order, which has come to light, is set to alarm major tech companies like Apple and prompt concerns among privacy advocates.

A Worldwide Shift in Cybersecurity Regulation

In tackling a growing wave of digital scams and phone theft, India is aligning with authorities across the globe. This step mirrors similar measures framed in countries like Russia, which seek to prevent the use of stolen phones for fraud and push state-backed applications.

What Companies Are Affected by the Order?

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

Details of the Government Mandate

An directive dated 28 November gives phone companies a three-month period to guarantee that the official "Messenger Friend" app is pre-installed on all new handsets. A critical condition is that users cannot disable the app.

For handsets already in the supply chain, companies are required to deliver the app via software upgrades. It is notable that this directive was privately circulated and was sent privately to select firms.

Digital Rights Worries Voiced

However, technology specialists have expressed serious worries regarding this decision. A lawyer focusing in technology issues said that India's directive is a reason to worry.

“The government effectively erodes user consent as a genuine choice,” commented Mishi Choudhary, an expert working on internet advocacy matters.

Privacy advocates had earlier questioned a similar requirement by Russia in August for a government-sponsored messenger app to be pre-installed on phones.

The Size of the Domestic Smartphone Landscape

India, one of the world's largest mobile markets, boasts more than 1.2 billion connections. Official figures reveal that the Sanchar Saathi app, launched in January, has already helped tracking down more than 700,000 lost phones, with an estimated 50,000 found in October by itself.

The authorities argues that the tool is crucial to fight the “significant endangerment” of mobile network cybersecurity from cloned or tampered IMEI numbers, which facilitate illicit activities and system abuse.

Apple's Stance

Apple's iOS powers an estimated 4.5% of the 735 million smartphones in India, with the vast majority using Android, as per market research. While Apple pre-installs its own first-party apps on its devices, its company policies reportedly forbid the installation of any government application before the purchase of a device.

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

“It’s expected to aim for a compromise: instead of a mandatory pre-install, they might discuss and ask for an option to prompt users towards downloading the app.”

Requests for comment from Apple, Google, Samsung, and Xiaomi went unanswered. India’s telecommunications department also remained silent.

The Role of the IMEI and the Application's Purpose

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

The government application is mainly intended to enable users block and locate missing smartphones across all mobile carriers, using a national registry. It also lets them to detect, and block, illegal mobile connections.

Notable Usage and Results

With more than 5 million installs since its release, the app has reportedly helped disable more than 3.7 million missing mobile phones. Furthermore, over 30 million fraudulent connections have also been terminated through its use.

The authorities asserts that the software helps preventing cyberthreats and helps in the locating and blocking of lost or stolen phones, thereby helping police in tracing handsets and keeping cloned devices out of the black market.