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In a significant move, India's telecoms department has discreetly directed smartphone makers to include all new devices with a government-backed cybersecurity tool that cannot be deleted. This directive, which has been disclosed, is likely to concern major tech companies like Apple and raise questions among consumer watchdogs.

A Global Shift in Cybersecurity Policy

In tackling a growing wave of digital scams and phone theft, India is aligning with authorities worldwide. This move echoes similar measures introduced in countries like Russia, which aim to curb the use of lost phones for scams and encourage government-developed tools.

Which Manufacturers Are Affected by the Directive?

The new directive binds leading smartphone companies active in the Indian market. Among them are Apple, which has previously locked horns with the telecom authority over similar apps, as well as giants like Samsung, Vivo, Oppo, and Xiaomi.

The Fine Print of the Government Mandate

An directive dated 28 November allots smartphone manufacturers a 90-day period to ensure that the government's "Messenger Friend" app is included on all new handsets. A critical provision is that owners will not be able to remove the app.

For handsets currently in the retail pipeline, manufacturers are instructed to deliver the app via software patches. It is important that this directive was sent confidentially and was sent in confidence to select manufacturers.

User Consent Worries Raised

However, technology experts have expressed serious worries regarding this policy. A lawyer focusing in tech matters stated that India's directive is a reason to worry.

“The government in essence removes user consent as a real choice,” said Mishi Choudhary, an advocate working on digital rights matters.

Consumer organisations had also questioned a similar requirement by Russia in August for a state-backed messenger called Max to be pre-installed on phones.

The Size of the Domestic Smartphone Landscape

India, among the world's largest mobile markets, boasts over 1.2 billion connections. Government statistics show that the Sanchar Saathi app, launched in January, has reportedly helped recovering over 700,000 lost phones, with an estimated 50,000 found in October alone.

The government contends that the app is crucial to combat the “serious endangerment” of telecom cybersecurity from fake or spoofed IMEI numbers, which enable scams and network abuse.

Apple's Likely Response

Apple's iOS powers an estimated 4.5% of the 735 million mobile phones in India, with the rest using Android, according to industry analysis. While Apple pre-installs its own proprietary applications on its devices, its internal rules reportedly forbid the inclusion of any third-party app before the purchase of a smartphone.

“Apple has in the past resisted such requests from governments,” noted Tarun Pathak, a research director at Counterpoint.

“It’s likely to pursue a middle ground: rather than a mandatory inclusion, they might discuss and ask for an option to prompt users towards downloading the application.”

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

The Role of the IMEI and the Application's Function

The IMEI, or International Mobile Equipment Identity, is a 14- to 17-digit number assigned to each mobile device. It is primarily used by networks to cut off cellular access for phones reported as lost.

The Sanchar Saathi app is mainly designed to enable users block and track lost or stolen phones across all telecom networks, using a central registry. It also allows them to detect, and terminate, illegal mobile connections.

Impressive Adoption and Outcomes

With more than 5 million installs since its launch, the app has reportedly been used to block more than 3.7 million missing mobile phones. Furthermore, more than 30 million illegal connections have also been terminated through its use.

The government claims that the app aids in combating digital threats and assists in the locating and blocking of missing phones, thereby aiding police in recovering devices and keeping cloned devices out of the illicit trade.