In a move that is set to clash with major technology firms and privacy campaigners, the Indian government has instructed smartphone manufacturers to pre-install a state-owned cybersecurity application on all new devices, with users unable to remove it.
Government Order Demands Mandatory App Installation
According to a private government order dated 28 November, India's telecoms ministry has given leading smartphone companies, including Apple, Samsung, Vivo, Oppo, and Xiaomi, a 90-day deadline to ensure the 'Sanchar Saathi' app comes preloaded on new handsets. For devices already in the supply chain, manufacturers must push the app via software updates.
The directive, which was not made public, aims to combat a surge in cybercrime by addressing the misuse of duplicate or spoofed IMEI numbers. The government states the app is essential for the cybersecurity of India's vast network of over 1.2 billion telecom subscribers.
Privacy Concerns and Industry Pushback
The mandate has immediately drawn criticism from digital rights advocates. Mishi Choudhary, a lawyer specialising in technology, argued that "the government effectively removes user consent as a meaningful choice." The move echoes a similar, controversial requirement by Russia for a state-backed messenger app.
Apple, in particular, is expected to resist the order. A source with direct knowledge stated the company's internal policy prohibits pre-installing any government or third-party app before sale. Tarun Pathak of Counterpoint Research noted, "Apple has historically refused such requests from governments," suggesting the tech giant may seek a compromise, such as prompting users to install the app voluntarily.
The Role and Reach of Sanchar Saathi
Launched in January 2025, the Sanchar Saathi app is designed as a central tool to help users block and track lost or stolen phones across all networks. Government figures show it has already aided in recovering more than 700,000 lost devices, including 50,000 in October alone, and has led to the termination of over 30 million fraudulent mobile connections.
With the Indian smartphone market exceeding 735 million devices by mid-2025, of which Apple's iOS holds an estimated 4.5% share, this order represents a significant intervention by authorities into the digital ecosystem. The government maintains the software is a vital measure to prevent cyberthreats and keep counterfeit phones off the black market.
