India has ordered all new smartphones to come pre-loaded with a non-removable, state-run cybersecurity app, sparking privacy concerns.
Under the order - passed last week but made public on Monday - smartphone makers have 90 days to ensure all new devices come with the government's Sanchar Saathi app.
This app aims to help citizens verify the authenticity of handsets and report potential misuse of telecom resources. However, critics argue that the move, which is significant in a market with over 1.2 billion mobile users, violates individual privacy rights.
Launched in January, the Sanchar Saathi app allows users to check a device's IMEI, report lost or stolen phones, and flag suspected fraudulent communications. An IMEI is a unique 15-digit code that identifies a mobile device on cellular networks.
India's Department of Telecommunications stated that mobile handsets with duplicate or spoofed IMEI numbers pose serious endangerment to telecom cybersecurity. It added that issues such as the reselling of stolen or blacklisted devices contribute to financial losses for purchasers.
The new rules mandate that the app be visible and accessible to users upon device setup, with functionalities that cannot be disabled or restricted. Smartphone manufacturers must also attempt to provide the app through updates for unsold devices.
The government claims the app has already aided in the recovery of over 700,000 lost phones, including 50,000 in October alone. However, experts voice concerns about the app's broad permissions, which could facilitate extensive data collection and surveillance.
The advocacy group Internet Freedom Foundation criticized the measure, noting that it turns every smartphone sold in India into a vessel for state-mandated software that users cannot effectively refuse, control, or remove.
Technology analyst Prasanto K Roy raised further questions regarding the extensive permissions requested by the app, which could allow it access to various device features.
While most Android devices are dominant in India, Apple's iPhones constitute about 4.5% of the smartphone market. Apple traditionally resists such government-imposed mandates and has reportedly notified Delhi about its inability to comply with the order.
This situation reflects a broader global trend towards stricter regulations on device verification, evident in countries like Russia that have implemented similar requirements.
