After the Sanchar Saathi app controversy flared up, Apple is reportedly planning to resist the government mandate to preload all iPhones sold in India with the state-owned cyber safety app. According to a report from Reuters, internal sources have hinted at Apple planning to oppose the pre-installing the Indian government’s cybersecurity app in a bid to secure its interest in ensuring user privacy.
The Indian government’s telecom ministry recently issued an official order to major mobile device manufacturers, including Apple, Samsung, and Xiaomi, requiring them to preload the Sanchar Saathi app within 90 days from the publishing date. The mandate also stated that manufacturers should ensure the app cannot be disabled and must be pushed to devices already in the supply chain via software updates.
Apple cites privacy and security concerns
Sources familiar with the matter hint that Apple does not plan to comply with the directive and will convey its strong objections to the government authorities. The company is expected to argue that it does not follow such mandates anywhere globally, as they create significant privacy and security vulnerabilities for the proprietary iOS ecosystem.
One industry source described the order’s security implications bluntly, saying, “It’s not only like taking a sledgehammer, this is like a double-barrel gun,” highlighting the severity of the perceived risk. Apple is reportedly committed to its stand, with one person stating the company “can’t do this. Period,” due to security concerns, although it is not expected to pursue public confrontation or legal action.
Surveillance fears over Sanchar Saathi app
The Sanchar Saathi app is officially intended as a security measure to track and block stolen phones, combat cyber fraud, and prevent the misuse of devices with duplicated or spoofed IMEI numbers, all of which is a growing problem in India’s vast second-hand mobile device market.
However, the order has triggered a fierce political debate. The opposition to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government and privacy advocates have criticised the mandate, arguing that the app will function as a “snooping tool” capable of granting the government access to India’s approximately 730 million smartphones.
While Apple’s iOS software is tightly controlled, Android-based manufacturers like Samsung and Xiaomi have more leeway due to the open-source nature of the Android operating system. However, a fourth industry source indicated that these other major brands are currently reviewing the government order.
