India’s telecoms ministry has quietly ordered smartphone manufacturers to preload a state-owned cybersecurity application on all new devices, with no option for users to delete it, according to a confidential government directive seen by Reuters.
The move places India among a growing number of countries — including Russia — pushing tighter digital controls in response to rising cybercrime.
The November 28 directive gives major smartphone makers 90 days to ensure all newly manufactured devices come with the government’s Sanchar Saathi app pre-installed and permanently enabled. The instruction, sent privately to selected companies, also requires manufacturers to push the app via software updates to devices already in the distribution pipeline.
The new policy covers all major brands, including Apple, Samsung, Vivo, Oppo, and Xiaomi.
Concern Among Privacy Advocates
Technology lawyers and digital rights experts have raised alarms over the mandate.
“The government effectively removes user consent as a meaningful choice,” said Mishi Choudhary, an internet advocacy specialist, noting that mandatory, undeletable apps undermine privacy principles.
Similar criticism arose earlier this year when Russia required smartphones to carry the state-backed MAX messenger app by default.
Government’s Justification
India argues the app is essential to fight a surge in cybercrime, including phone theft, cloned IMEI use, and fraudulent mobile connections.
With more than 1.2 billion telecom subscribers, India is one of the world’s largest smartphone markets. Since Sanchar Saathi’s public launch in January, government data shows:
- 700,000+ lost phones recovered,
- 50,000 in October alone,
- 3.7 million stolen or lost phones blocked,
- 30 million fraudulent or unauthorized mobile connections terminated.
Authorities say the app supports police investigations, prevents cyber fraud, and reduces circulation of counterfeit devices.
Apple Likely to Resist
Apple, which holds 4.5% of India’s smartphone base, has historically resisted government requests for preloaded applications. According to a source familiar with the matter, the company’s internal policies prohibit pre-installing any government or third-party app on iPhones before sale.
“Apple has historically refused such requests from governments,” said Tarun Pathak, Research Director at Counterpoint.
He added that Apple may attempt to negotiate a compromise — such as offering users an installation prompt instead of mandatory preloading.
Apple, Google, Samsung, Xiaomi, and India’s telecom ministry did not respond to requests for comment.
Why It Matters
The government cites “serious endangerment” to telecom cybersecurity from:
- duplicate or spoofed IMEI numbers,
- device cloning,
- fraud enabled by stolen phones,
- network misuse.
The IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) — a unique 14–17 digit number — allows authorities to block stolen or suspicious devices across networks, a process the app simplifies for both users and telecom operators.
Growing Global Trend
India’s move reflects a broader international shift as governments tighten digital oversight amid rising cyber risks. But experts warn that such mandates — especially undeletable apps — can spark privacy debates and conflicts with global tech giants, particularly Apple.
