🔗 Share this article

In a significant decision, India's telecommunications department has confidentially instructed smartphone makers to include all new devices with a government-backed cybersecurity app that must remain installed. This mandate, which has been disclosed, is likely to antagonise major tech companies like Apple and raise questions among consumer watchdogs.

A Worldwide Pattern in Cybersecurity Policy

Addressing a rising tide of cybercrime and phone theft, The Indian authorities is aligning with authorities internationally. This action parallels comparable rules introduced in nations like Russia, which are designed to curb the use of lost phones for illicit activities and encourage government-developed tools.

Which Companies Are Bound by the Directive?

The recent directive binds key smartphone brands operating in the Indian market. These include Apple, which has in the past clashed with the telecom authority over comparable apps, as well as giants like Samsung, Vivo, Oppo, and Xiaomi.

The Fine Print of the Official Mandate

An directive dated 28 November gives phone companies a three-month window to guarantee that the government's "Messenger Friend" app is factory-loaded on all new mobile phones. A notable condition is that consumers will not be able to remove the application.

For handsets already in the supply chain, makers are directed to send the app via system upgrades. It is worth mentioning that this directive was privately circulated and was sent selectively to select firms.

User Consent Worries Expressed

However, legal specialists have raised significant concerns regarding this decision. A legal expert focusing in technology issues commented that India's action is a worrying development.

“The government effectively erodes user consent as a real choice,” stated Mishi Choudhary, an advocate working on internet advocacy matters.

Consumer organisations had earlier condemned a similar mandate by Russia in August for a government-sponsored communication called Max to be pre-installed on phones.

The Scale of the Domestic Smartphone Landscape

India, one of the world's biggest mobile markets, boasts more than 1.2 billion connections. Official statistics indicate that the Sanchar Saathi application, launched in January, has already helped recovering over 700,000 lost phones, with approximately 50,000 found in October alone.

The authorities argues that the tool is essential to tackle the “significant endangerment” of telecom cybersecurity from duplicate or tampered IMEI numbers, which facilitate fraud and network abuse.

The Tech Giant's Likely Response

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 proprietary applications on its devices, its company policies are said to prohibit the inclusion of any third-party application before the purchase of a device.

“Apple has in the past declined such requests from governments,” commented Tarun Pathak, a analyst at Counterpoint.

“It’s probable to pursue a compromise: instead of a mandatory inclusion, they might discuss and propose an option to nudge users towards downloading the app.”

Requests for response from Apple, Google, Samsung, and Xiaomi were unresponded. India’s telecoms ministry also offered no comment.

Understanding the IMEI and the App's Purpose

The IMEI, or International Mobile Equipment Identity, is a 14- to 17-digit number unique to each mobile device. It is typically used by operators to disable network access for phones reported as lost.

The government app is mainly intended to enable users track and locate missing phones across all mobile carriers, using a central database. It also lets them to spot, and disconnect, illegal mobile connections.

Impressive Adoption and Results

With more than 5 million downloads since its inception, the app has already 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 aids in combating digital threats and helps in the locating and disabling of lost or stolen phones, thereby aiding police in recovering handsets and preventing cloned devices out of the illicit trade.