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In a major move, India's telecoms ministry has privately asked smartphone companies to pre-install all new phones with a state-owned cybersecurity tool that is non-removable. This directive, which has been disclosed, is likely to antagonise leading technology companies like Apple and raise concerns among consumer watchdogs.

An International Pattern in Cybersecurity Regulation

Addressing a rising tide of digital scams and phone theft, India is following regulators internationally. This move mirrors similar rules framed in countries like Russia, which seek to prevent the use of lost phones for scams and promote state-backed tools.

What Manufacturers Are Affected by the Order?

The new mandate applies to key mobile phone makers active in the domestic market. Among them are Apple, a company that has in the past locked horns with the telecom authority over similar applications, as well as leaders like Samsung, Vivo, Oppo, and Xiaomi.

Specifics of the Government Mandate

An directive dated 28 November provides smartphone manufacturers a 90-day period to guarantee that the official "Messenger Friend" application is pre-installed on all new mobile phones. A critical stipulation is that consumers cannot disable the application.

For phones already in the supply chain, makers are directed to deliver the app via software updates. It is notable that this directive was privately circulated and was sent in confidence to chosen companies.

Digital Rights Concerns Voiced

However, legal specialists have raised significant apprehensions regarding this move. A legal expert focusing in technology issues stated that India's action is a worrying development.

“The government practically eliminates user consent as a genuine choice,” stated Mishi Choudhary, an expert working on digital rights issues.

Privacy advocates had also condemned a similar mandate by Russia in August for a state-backed messenger app to be pre-installed on phones.

The Scale of the Indian Smartphone Landscape

India, one of the world's largest mobile markets, boasts over 1.2 billion subscribers. Government data show that the Sanchar Saathi app, introduced in January, has already helped locating over 700,000 lost phones, with around 50,000 recovered in October by itself.

The government states that the software is vital to combat the “serious endangerment” of telecom cybersecurity from fake or tampered IMEI numbers, which facilitate fraud and network abuse.

Apple's Position

Apple's iOS runs on an approximate 4.5% of the 735 million mobile phones in India, with the vast majority using Android, as per market research. While Apple includes its own first-party applications on its devices, its company rules are said to forbid the inclusion of any third-party app before the sale of a smartphone.

“Apple has traditionally declined these kinds of requests from authorities,” said Tarun Pathak, a research director at Counterpoint.

“It’s expected to aim for a middle ground: rather than a mandatory inclusion, they might discuss and ask for an alternative to encourage users towards installing the application.”

Requests for response from Apple, Google, Samsung, and Xiaomi were unanswered. India’s telecoms department also offered no comment.

Understanding the IMEI and the Application's Purpose

The IMEI, or International Mobile Equipment Identity, is a 14- to 17-digit number assigned to each handset. It is typically used by carriers to disable network access for phones reported as lost.

The Sanchar Saathi app is primarily intended to enable users block and locate missing phones across all mobile carriers, using a national registry. It also enables them to detect, and disconnect, unauthorised mobile connections.

Notable Adoption and Outcomes

With more than 5 million downloads since its release, the software has reportedly been used to disable over 3.7 million stolen or lost mobile phones. Moreover, more than 30 million fraudulent connections have also been terminated through its use.

The government asserts that the tool helps preventing digital threats and assists in the tracking and disabling of lost or stolen phones, thereby helping police in recovering devices and preventing counterfeits out of the black market.