New Mandate

India's telecoms ministry ordered smartphone makers to pre-install a government cybersecurity app on all new devices and prevent users from deleting it.

Context

India has experienced a surge in cybercrime and hacking in recent months. The country has more than 1.2B smartphone users, making it one of the world's largest mobile markets. The government launched the Sanchar Saathi app in January to help users block and track lost or stolen phones and identify fraudulent mobile connections. Since its launch, the app has drawn more than 5M downloads.

The Order

India’s telecoms ministry issued an order on November 28 giving manufacturers 90 days to ensure the app is pre-installed on new phones and that users cannot disable it. The order also required manufacturers to push the app to older devices through software updates.

The ministry stated the app was essential for preventing misuse of telecommunications resources for cyber fraud and ensuring telecom cybersecurity. Manufacturers affected by the order include Apple, Samsung, Vivo, Oppo, and Xiaomi.

Privacy Concerns

Many people criticized the directive as an erosion of user privacy and consent. One critic said the order removes user choice about what appears on their personal devices and expressed concern that it could set a precedent for future mandatory installations that might enable surveillance.

The order is likely to face resistance from companies whose internal policies prohibit pre-installing third-party apps on their devices, with Apple already expressing its intention to refuse the order. According to the app's privacy statement, Sanchar Saathi has access to a phone's call log, memory, and camera.

Government Response

India's communications minister responded to criticism by calling the app a "voluntary and democratic system" and stating users could “easily delete it from their phone at any time.” However, the minister did not explain how deleting the app would be possible when the order instructs manufacturers to ensure the app's functionalities cannot be disabled or restricted.