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In a major step, India's telecoms ministry has discreetly directed mobile phone makers to pre-install all new handsets with a state-owned cybersecurity app that cannot be deleted. This mandate, which has come to light, is expected to concern major technology companies like Apple and raise questions among consumer watchdogs.

A Global Pattern in Cybersecurity Regulation

In tackling a recent surge of cybercrime and phone theft, The Indian authorities is aligning with regulators worldwide. This move mirrors comparable rules framed in nations like Russia, which aim to prevent the use of lost phones for illicit activities and encourage official tools.

Which Manufacturers Are Bound by the Directive?

The new order applies to leading smartphone companies active in the domestic market. These include Apple, a company that has in the past locked horns with regulators over similar applications, as well as leaders like Samsung, Vivo, Oppo, and Xiaomi.

Details of the Government Mandate

An directive dated 28 November allots smartphone companies a three-month period to ensure that the government's "Messenger Friend" application is factory-loaded on all new devices. A critical stipulation is that users cannot disable the app.

For devices currently in the supply chain, companies are instructed to deliver the app via software upgrades. It is notable that this directive was privately circulated and was communicated in confidence to select companies.

User Consent Apprehensions Expressed

However, technology specialists have raised major worries regarding this decision. A legal expert specialising in tech matters commented that India's directive is a reason to worry.

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

Privacy advocates had also criticised a similar requirement by Russia in August for a state-backed messenger app to be included on phones.

The Size of the Indian Smartphone Landscape

India, among the world's largest mobile markets, boasts over 1.2 billion connections. Government figures show that the Sanchar Saathi app, launched in January, has already assisted in locating over 700,000 lost phones, with around 50,000 found in October alone.

The authorities states that the app is vital to combat the “significant endangerment” of telecom cybersecurity from cloned or spoofed IMEI numbers, which facilitate illicit activities and network abuse.

Apple's Position

Apple's iOS powers an estimated 4.5% of the 735 million smartphones in India, with the vast majority using Android, according to industry analysis. While Apple pre-installs its own proprietary applications on its devices, its internal policies reportedly ban the installation of any third-party application before the sale of a smartphone.

“Apple has traditionally resisted such requests from authorities,” noted Tarun Pathak, a research director at Counterpoint.

“It’s probable to seek a compromise: rather than a forced inclusion, they might discuss and propose an alternative to nudge users towards downloading the app.”

Requests for response from Apple, Google, Samsung, and Xiaomi were unanswered. India’s telecoms ministry also did not respond.

The Role of the IMEI and the App's Purpose

The IMEI, or International Mobile Equipment Identity, is a unique identification number assigned to each handset. It is most commonly used by networks to block network access for phones flagged as lost.

The government application is mainly created to help users track and locate missing phones across all telecom networks, using a central registry. It also lets them to identify, and terminate, illegal mobile connections.

Impressive Adoption and Results

With more than 5 million installs since its release, the software has already helped block over 3.7 million missing mobile phones. Moreover, over 30 million illegal connections have also been disconnected through its use.

The authorities states that the app helps preventing digital threats and assists in the tracking and blocking of lost or stolen phones, thereby aiding police in tracing handsets and preventing counterfeits out of the black market.