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In a major step, India's telecoms ministry has discreetly instructed smartphone makers to include all new phones with a government-backed cybersecurity application that is non-removable. This mandate, which has been disclosed, is expected to antagonise leading technology firms like Apple and raise questions among consumer watchdogs.

An International Trend in Cybersecurity Regulation

To combat a rising tide of digital scams and device misuse, India is following authorities internationally. This move parallels similar measures enacted in countries like Russia, which aim to block the use of lost phones for illicit activities and promote official applications.

What Companies Are Affected by the Directive?

The new mandate affects key mobile phone makers active in the Indian market. Among them are Apple, a company that has previously locked horns with regulators over similar apps, as well as leaders like Samsung, Vivo, Oppo, and Xiaomi.

Details of the Official Order

An directive dated 28 November allots smartphone companies a three-month deadline to ensure that the government's Sanchar Saathi app is factory-loaded on all new mobile phones. A key stipulation is that owners cannot disable the software.

For handsets already in the distribution network, makers are directed to deliver the app via system upgrades. It is worth mentioning that this directive was not made public and was communicated in confidence to chosen firms.

Digital Rights Worries Voiced

However, legal specialists have flagged significant apprehensions regarding this policy. A lawyer focusing in tech matters said that India's step is a worrying development.

“The government practically removes user consent as a meaningful choice,” stated Mishi Choudhary, an expert working on internet advocacy matters.

Consumer organisations had also condemned a comparable mandate by Russia in August for a government-sponsored messenger app to be included on phones.

The Size of the Indian Smartphone Landscape

India, among the world's biggest telephone markets, boasts more than 1.2 billion mobile users. Government data show that the cybersecurity application, launched in January, has reportedly helped tracking down over 700,000 lost phones, with around 50,000 recovered in October alone.

The authorities argues that the software is vital to fight the “significant endangerment” of telecom cybersecurity from duplicate or tampered IMEI numbers, which are used for fraud and network misuse.

The Tech Giant's Stance

Apple's iOS powers an estimated 4.5% of the 735 million mobile phones in India, with the vast majority using Android, according to industry analysis. While Apple pre-installs its own first-party apps on its devices, its internal policies are said to ban the inclusion of any government application before the purchase of a device.

“Apple has in the past declined such requests from authorities,” said Tarun Pathak, a analyst at Counterpoint.

“It’s likely to aim for a middle ground: rather than a compulsory pre-install, they might negotiate and propose an option to encourage users towards downloading the app.”

Requests for response from Apple, Google, Samsung, and Xiaomi went unanswered. India’s telecoms department also remained silent.

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 typically used by carriers to cut off cellular access for phones flagged as lost.

The government app is mainly designed to help users track and locate lost or stolen phones across all mobile carriers, using a national database. It also lets them to identify, and block, unauthorised mobile connections.

Notable Usage and Outcomes

With over 5 million downloads since its release, the software has reportedly helped block more than 3.7 million stolen or lost mobile phones. Furthermore, more than 30 million fraudulent connections have also been terminated through its use.

The government claims that the app aids in preventing digital threats and assists in the tracking and blocking of missing phones, thereby aiding police in tracing devices and preventing counterfeits out of the illicit trade.