Following the directive from the Government of India to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app on all new smartphones, the country’s smartphone industry appears to be on edge. According to media reports, Apple and Google are preparing to resist the government’s directive asking all manufacturers to mandatorily pre-install the cybersecurity app on new devices. The companies’ concerns centre on privacy implications, system-level security policies and the fear of setting a precedent that could impact their operations worldwide.
Why companies are pushing back
Indian Express quoted unnamed industry executives saying that neither Apple nor Google has ever preloaded a state-developed application on devices anywhere in the world. If they comply with the Government of India’s directive, it would require major architectural changes which include creating custom versions of iOS and Android specifically for India.
The executives argued that taking up such operational tasks is something companies are not willing to do. Apple would also need to break its internal policy of not shipping iPhones with third-party software. Furthermore, companies believe that agreeing to such requests could trigger similar demands in other jurisdictions.
Government’s position and clarification
Notably, when the confidential directive from the Department of Telecommunications went public insisting on the pre-installation of the Sanchar Saathi app, concerns were raised by civil society groups. Several opposition leaders criticised the government and called it a snooping attempt as there were concerns that uninstalling the app would not be possible.
However, Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia categorically stated that the app is optional and if users do not want the app, they can uninstall it from their devices. He added that the government’s responsibility is to familiarise users with the tool and not to force it upon them.
Why the government wants wider adoption
The mandate came at a time where there are rising cases of duplicate and spoofed IMEIs, stolen smartphones and fraudulent mobile connections indulging in cyber crimes. The app has reportedly helped block 3.7 million stolen phones, recover over 700,000 devices and terminate more than 30 million fraudulent mobile connections. With its fraud-reporting system and KYM verification tool, the app has become central to India’s telecom security strategy.
