Apple is reportedly resisting an order from the Indian government that requires smartphone makers to preload a state-developed cybersecurity app on all new devices sold in the country.
According to Reuters, the company plans to inform officials that it does not comply with such requests due to its long-standing privacy and security policies. However, Apple isn’t expected to challenge the directive publicly or take the matter to court.
The Indian government has instructed major phone manufacturers, including Apple, Samsung, Vivo, and Oppo, to install the Sanchar Saathi app by default on new devices and even push it to existing phones through a software update. The requirement would also prevent users from disabling or uninstalling the app. Currently, Apple holds about nine percent of India’s smartphone market.
Sanchar Saathi, which translates to “Communication Partner,” is designed to help users track and block lost or stolen phones by using their IMEI number. While the app is already available in both the App Store and Google Play Store, the new mandate has sparked concerns among industry players and privacy advocates. Critics fear the app could potentially be misused for surveillance beyond its intended anti-theft function.
Despite the directive’s restrictions, India’s Minister of Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia said on Tuesday that the app is “completely optional” and can be deleted by users, a statement that directly contradicts the reported language of the government order. The conflicting messages have added to the growing debate over privacy, surveillance, and user choice as the directive moves forward.
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