India orders smartphones to be preloaded with state-owned cyber safety app that users cannot disable

India's telecoms ministry has privately asked smartphone companies to preload new devices with a state-owned cybersecurity app that cannot be deleted.

Govt privately ask smartphone companies to preload devices with cybersecurity app?

The November 28 order, seen by Reuters, gives major smartphone makers 90 days to ensure that the government's Sanchar Saathi app is pre-installed on new mobile devices, with a provision that users cannot disable it.

For phones already in the supply chain, manufacturers should push the app via software updates, the ministry said in its order, which was not made public and was sent privately to select companies.

According to government figures, the Sanchar Saathi app, launched in January, has helped recover more than 700,000 lost phones, including 50,000 in October alone, per Reuters.

However, the new initiative could most likely antagonise Apple, which typically dislikes such directives, Reuters reported.

Apple, Samsung and Xiaomi did not respond to Reuters’s requests for comment, nor did the telecom ministry.

It quoted two anonymous industry sources saying that they “were concerned there had been no consultation with companies before the order was issued.”

IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) or the 14- to 17-digit number unique to each handset, is most commonly used to cut off network access for phones that are stolen. The government’s  Sanchar Saathi app allows users to report suspicious calls, verify IMEIs and block stolen devices through a central registry.

The government says it helps prevent cyber threats and assists in tracking and blocking lost or stolen phones, helping police to trace devices, while keeping counterfeits out of the black market.

However, a lawyer specialising in technology matters said India's move was cause for concern, according to The Economic Times.

"The government effectively removes user consent as a meaningful choice," said Mishi Choudhary, who works on internet advocacy issues.

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