🔗 Share this article

In a notable step, India's telecoms ministry has discreetly instructed mobile phone manufacturers to pre-install all new handsets with a state-owned cybersecurity app that is non-removable. This directive, which has been disclosed, is set to concern leading technology firms like Apple and prompt questions among digital rights groups.

A Worldwide Pattern in Cybersecurity Policy

Addressing a rising tide of digital scams and device misuse, The Indian authorities is aligning with authorities worldwide. This step parallels comparable regulations enacted in countries like Russia, which are designed to curb the use of lost phones for fraud and promote government-developed tools.

Which Companies Are Impacted by the Directive?

The new order applies to major mobile phone brands active in the domestic market. These include Apple, which has in the past had disagreements with the telecom authority over similar applications, as well as giants like Samsung, Vivo, Oppo, and Xiaomi.

Details of the Official Order

An order dated 28 November provides phone companies a 90-day window to ensure that the official "Messenger Friend" application is factory-loaded on all new mobile phones. A key condition is that owners will not be able to remove the software.

For devices already in the supply chain, companies are directed to push the application via software updates. It is important that this order was sent confidentially and was sent selectively to chosen manufacturers.

User Consent Worries Expressed

However, technology experts have flagged major concerns regarding this move. A lawyer specialising in tech issues commented that India's directive is a cause for concern.

“The government in essence removes user consent as a meaningful choice,” stated Mishi Choudhary, an advocate working on digital rights matters.

Consumer organisations had earlier criticised a comparable mandate by Russia in August for a government-sponsored messenger called Max to be included on phones.

The Scale of the Domestic Smartphone Landscape

India, one of the world's biggest telephone markets, boasts more than 1.2 billion connections. Government statistics reveal that the Sanchar Saathi app, launched in January, has already assisted in locating over 700,000 lost phones, with approximately 50,000 recovered in October alone.

The government contends that the tool is essential to combat the “serious endangerment” of mobile network cybersecurity from cloned or tampered IMEI numbers, which facilitate illicit activities and system misuse.

The Tech Giant's Stance

Apple's iOS runs on an estimated 4.5% of the 735 million smartphones in India, with the vast majority using Android, as per industry analysis. While Apple pre-installs its own first-party applications on its devices, its internal guidelines are said to prohibit the installation of any third-party app before the purchase of a smartphone.

“Apple has historically resisted these kinds of demands from governments,” said Tarun Pathak, a analyst at Counterpoint.

“It’s probable to seek a middle ground: rather than a forced pre-install, they might discuss and ask for an option to prompt users towards downloading the application.”

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

The Role of the IMEI and the Application's Function

The IMEI, or International Mobile Equipment Identity, is a 14- to 17-digit number unique to each handset. It is most commonly used by networks to disable cellular access for phones reported as stolen.

The government app is chiefly intended to enable users track and locate lost or stolen smartphones across all mobile carriers, using a national database. It also enables them to detect, and block, unauthorised mobile connections.

Notable Adoption and Outcomes

With more than 5 million installs since its inception, the software has reportedly helped disable over 3.7 million missing mobile phones. Moreover, over 30 million illegal connections have also been disconnected through its use.

The government asserts that the app helps combating digital threats and assists in the tracking and blocking of lost or stolen phones, thereby aiding police in recovering handsets and keeping counterfeits out of the illicit trade.