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In a major move, India's telecommunications ministry has privately instructed smartphone companies to pre-install all new devices with a government-backed cybersecurity app that is non-removable. This order, which was revealed, is likely to concern leading technology companies like Apple and raise concerns among consumer watchdogs.

An International Trend in Cybersecurity Policy

Addressing a growing wave of cybercrime and phone theft, The Indian authorities is following regulators worldwide. This move mirrors recent measures introduced in nations like Russia, which seek to block the use of stolen phones for fraud and promote state-backed service apps.

What Manufacturers Are Bound by the Directive?

The recent directive binds key mobile phone companies active in the domestic market. These include Apple, which has previously had disagreements with the telecom authority over similar apps, as well as leaders like Samsung, Vivo, Oppo, and Xiaomi.

Details of the Government Mandate

An directive dated 28 November gives phone companies a 90-day window to ensure that the official "Messenger Friend" app is included on all new mobile phones. A notable stipulation is that consumers cannot disable the app.

For phones already in the retail pipeline, makers are required to deliver the app via system upgrades. It is important that this directive was not made public and was dispatched in confidence to select companies.

Privacy Concerns Raised

However, legal analysts have expressed significant concerns regarding this move. A lawyer focusing in technology matters stated that India's action is a reason to worry.

“The government effectively removes user consent as a meaningful choice,” commented Mishi Choudhary, an advocate working on internet rights issues.

Consumer organisations had earlier questioned a comparable mandate by Russia in August for a state-backed messenger called Max to be pre-installed on phones.

The Scale of the Indian Market

India, one of the world's largest mobile markets, boasts over 1.2 billion subscribers. Official data indicate that the Sanchar Saathi app, introduced in January, has reportedly assisted in locating over 700,000 lost phones, with an estimated 50,000 recovered in October by itself.

The authorities contends that the tool is crucial to tackle the “grave endangerment” of telecom cybersecurity from fake or spoofed IMEI numbers, which enable fraud and network abuse.

The Tech Giant's Likely Response

Apple's iOS runs on an estimated 4.5% of the 735 million smartphones in India, with the vast majority using Android, as per industry analysis. While Apple includes its own proprietary applications on its devices, its internal guidelines are said to ban the installation of any government app before the sale of a smartphone.

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

“It’s probable to pursue a negotiated solution: instead of a compulsory inclusion, they might negotiate and propose an option to encourage users towards installing the application.”

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

The Role of the IMEI and the Application's Purpose

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

The government app is primarily created to enable users track and locate lost or stolen smartphones across all mobile carriers, using a central database. It also enables them to detect, and block, unauthorised mobile connections.

Impressive Adoption and Results

With more than 5 million downloads since its inception, the software has already helped block over 3.7 million missing mobile phones. Moreover, over 30 million fraudulent connections have also been blocked through its use.

The government claims that the app aids in preventing digital threats and helps in the locating and blocking of lost or stolen phones, thereby aiding police in tracing devices and keeping cloned devices out of the illicit trade.