India Imposes Mandatory Mobile App Mandate on Manufacturers
India’s telecom ministry has issued a confidential directive requiring all smartphone manufacturers to pre-install the government’s cyber-security app, Sanchaar Saathi, on every new mobile device. According to the order, users will not be able to delete or deactivate the app. The report comes via Reuters.
India is one of the world’s largest mobile markets, with over 1.2 billion connections. The government says the app, launched in January this year, has already helped recover more than 700,000 lost or stolen phones, including 50,000 devices recovered in October alone.
Major manufacturers—including Apple, Samsung, Vivo, Oppo, and Xiaomi—will be obligated to comply with the directive. However, tensions may arise, as Apple’s internal policy prohibits preloading any government or third-party app before sale.
The new order instructs manufacturers to ensure preloading within 90 days. Smartphones already in the supply chain must receive the app via a software update.
The government claims the app is highly effective in detecting fake or cloned IMEI numbers, preventing cyber fraud, and tracking stolen devices.
DBTech / BMT / OR
