Key Takeaways
- India has privately ordered smartphone makers to preload the undeletable Sanchar Saathi app on all new devices.
- Companies, including Apple, Samsung, Vivo, Oppo, and Xiaomi, have 90 days to comply.
- The app has already helped recover over 700,000 lost phones and block 3.7 million stolen devices.
- Apple’s policy conflicts with the mandate, setting the stage for potential negotiations.
India’s telecom ministry has issued a private directive requiring smartphone manufacturers to pre-install a state-owned cyber safety app that users cannot delete. This move is set to challenge major players like Apple, which has historically resisted such government mandates.
The order, dated November 28, gives companies a 90-day window to ensure the ‘Sanchar Saathi’ app comes preloaded on all new mobile phones sold in India. For devices already in the supply chain, manufacturers must push the app via software updates.
The government argues the app is critical to combat telecom security threats posed by duplicate or spoofed IMEI numbers, which facilitate scams and network misuse.
Apple’s Stance and Industry Impact
Apple, which holds an estimated 4.5% share of India’s 735 million smartphone market, finds itself at a crossroads. The company’s internal policy prohibits pre-installing any government or third-party app before sale.
“Apple has historically refused such requests from governments,” said Tarun Pathak, Research Director at Counterpoint. “It’s likely to seek a middle ground: instead of a mandatory pre-install, they might negotiate and ask for an option to nudge users towards installing the app.”
Other major brands bound by the order include Samsung, Vivo, Oppo, and Xiaomi. None of the companies, nor the telecom ministry, responded to requests for comment.
How the Sanchar Saathi App Works
The app leverages the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI), a unique 14- to 17-digit number for each handset. It allows users to:
- Report suspicious calls and messages.
- Verify IMEI numbers to check for duplication or spoofing.
- Block stolen or lost devices through a central government registry.
Since its launch in January, the app has seen over 5 million downloads. Government data claims it has helped recover more than 700,000 lost phones and block over 3.7 million stolen devices. Furthermore, it has led to the termination of more than 30 million fraudulent mobile connections.
The ministry states the tool is essential for preventing cyber threats, aiding police in tracing devices, and keeping counterfeit phones off the black market.
