🔗 Share this article

In a significant move, India's telecommunications authority has confidentially directed smartphone companies to pre-install all new handsets with a national cybersecurity tool that is non-removable. This mandate, which has come to light, is set to alarm major tech companies like Apple and prompt questions among consumer watchdogs.

A Worldwide Trend in Digital Security Policy

In tackling a growing wave of cybercrime and device misuse, The Indian authorities is aligning with regulators across the globe. This action mirrors recent rules introduced in countries like Russia, which aim to curb the use of stolen phones for scams and push official service apps.

Which Companies Are Impacted by the Order?

The new mandate affects major smartphone brands operating in the Indian market. Among them are Apple, a company that has in the past had disagreements with regulators over comparable apps, as well as giants like Samsung, Vivo, Oppo, and Xiaomi.

The Fine Print of the Official Order

An order dated 28 November allots smartphone manufacturers a 90-day deadline to ensure that the official "Messenger Friend" application is factory-loaded on all new handsets. A critical condition is that owners will not be able to remove the software.

For phones currently in the retail pipeline, manufacturers are instructed to send the app via system upgrades. It is notable that this directive was privately circulated and was communicated in confidence to select manufacturers.

User Consent Apprehensions Expressed

However, legal analysts have raised major apprehensions regarding this policy. A lawyer focusing in technology matters commented that India's action is a worrying development.

“The government effectively eliminates user consent as a meaningful choice,” commented Mishi Choudhary, an expert working on internet rights matters.

Consumer organisations had also criticised a comparable mandate by Russia in August for a state-backed communication called Max to be pre-installed on phones.

The Scale of the Indian Smartphone Landscape

India, among the world's largest telephone markets, boasts over 1.2 billion subscribers. Official data show that the Sanchar Saathi app, launched in January, has already assisted in tracking down more than 700,000 stolen phones, with an estimated 50,000 found in October alone.

The government argues that the app is crucial to fight the “grave endangerment” of mobile network cybersecurity from duplicate or spoofed IMEI numbers, which enable illicit activities and system abuse.

Apple's Stance

Apple's iOS powers an approximate 4.5% of the 735 million smartphones in India, with the rest using Android, according to industry analysis. While Apple includes its own proprietary apps on its devices, its internal policies are said to ban the inclusion of any third-party application before the purchase of a device.

“Apple has historically refused such mandates from authorities,” said Tarun Pathak, a analyst at Counterpoint.

“It’s likely to pursue a negotiated solution: rather than a forced pre-install, they might discuss and propose an option to nudge users towards downloading the application.”

Queries for comment from Apple, Google, Samsung, and Xiaomi were unresponded. India’s telecommunications department also remained silent.

Understanding the IMEI and the App's Function

The IMEI, or International Mobile Equipment Identity, is a 14- to 17-digit number unique to each handset. It is primarily used by carriers to cut off cellular access for phones reported as stolen.

The government application is mainly designed to enable users block and locate lost or stolen smartphones across all telecom networks, using a national database. It also allows them to spot, and terminate, fraudulent mobile connections.

Notable Usage and Results

With over 5 million downloads since its inception, the software has already helped block over 3.7 million stolen or lost mobile phones. Moreover, over 30 million illegal connections have also been blocked through its use.

The authorities states that the tool aids in preventing digital threats and helps in the tracking and blocking of missing phones, thereby aiding police in tracing devices and preventing cloned devices out of the black market.