Gullshan Desk: The Indian government has privately ordered businesses including Apple, Samsung and Xiaomi to preload their phones with a software called Sanchar Saathi, or Communication Partner, within 90 days
After the government’s action raised concerns about monitoring, three people familiar with the situation stated that Apple does not intend to comply with an order to preload its iPhones with a state-owned cyber safety app and will communicate its concerns to New Delhi. The Indian government has privately ordered businesses including Apple, Samsung and Xiaomi to preload their phones with a software called Sanchar Saathi, or Communication Partner, within 90 days. The program is intended to track stolen phones, block them and prevent them from being misused.
The government also wants manufacturers to verify that the app is not disabled. Reuters was the first to report on Monday that makers should use software updates to deploy the app to phones for devices already in the supply chain. The telecom ministry confirmed the move later, citing it as a security precaution to address “serious endangerment” of cyber security. But Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s political opponents and privacy groups attacked the decision, saying it is a method for the government to acquire access to India’s 730 million smartphones.
Apple does not plan to comply with the demand and will inform the government it does not follow similar mandates anywhere in the globe since they present a series of privacy and security risks for the company’s iOS ecosystem, said two of the industry people who are familiar with Apple’s worries. They declined to be named publicly as the company’s approach is confidential. According to the first source, “this is like a double-barrel gun, not just like taking a sledgehammer.” Apple and the telecom ministry did not respond to requests for comment.
“Big Brother cannot watch us”
The app order comes as Apple is involved in a court struggle with an Indian watchdog over the nation’s antitrust punishment statute. Apple has stated it risks facing a fine of up to $38 billion in a dispute. The second source said Apple does not plan to go to court or take a public posture, but it will notify the government it cannot fulfill the order because of security flaws.
Apple “is unable to accomplish this. “Period,” the individual stated
According to a fourth industry source with knowledge of the situation, several companies, including Samsung, are examining the order. Samsung did not answer to Reuters inquiry. According to sources, the administration issued the directive without consulting the business community. While Apple closely controls its App Store and proprietary iOS software – which are vital to its $100-billion-per-year services industry – Google’s Android is open-sourced, enabling manufacturers like Samsung and Xiaomi greater latitude to tweak their software.
India’s main opposition Congress Party has asked for a revocation of the mandate. Congressman KC Venugopal stated on X, “Big Brother cannot watch us.” The government’s news announcement stated the software can assist handle occurrences of duplicated or falsified IMEI numbers, which enable scams and network misuse. “India has big second-hand mobile device market,” the telecom ministry said in a statement late on Monday. “Cases have also been observed where stolen or blacklisted devices are being re-sold.”
