🔗 Share this article

In a major move, India's telecoms department has privately directed mobile phone makers to include all new phones with a government-backed cybersecurity tool that is non-removable. This order, which has been disclosed, is expected to antagonise leading technology firms like Apple and prompt concerns among privacy advocates.

An International Shift in Digital Security Policy

Addressing a growing wave of cybercrime and device misuse, India is aligning with regulators worldwide. This action mirrors recent measures framed in countries like Russia, which are designed to block the use of stolen phones for illicit activities and push government-developed tools.

What Companies Are Impacted by the Order?

The new order binds major smartphone companies active in the domestic market. Among them are Apple, which has previously had disagreements with the telecom authority over similar apps, as well as leaders like Samsung, Vivo, Oppo, and Xiaomi.

Details of the Official Mandate

An order dated 28 November provides phone manufacturers a 90-day deadline to guarantee that the official "Messenger Friend" app is included on all new handsets. A key provision is that owners cannot disable the app.

For phones already in the supply chain, manufacturers are required to deliver the application via system upgrades. It is notable that this directive was not made public and was sent privately to chosen firms.

Digital Rights Concerns Expressed

However, legal specialists have raised significant concerns regarding this move. A legal expert specialising in tech matters stated that India's directive is a worrying development.

“The government in essence eliminates user consent as a meaningful choice,” commented Mishi Choudhary, an expert working on digital advocacy issues.

Privacy advocates had previously questioned a comparable mandate by Russia in August for a government-sponsored messenger app to be pre-installed on phones.

The Size of the Domestic Market

India, one of the world's largest telephone markets, boasts more than 1.2 billion connections. Official figures reveal that the cybersecurity app, launched in January, has reportedly assisted in locating more than 700,000 lost phones, with around 50,000 found in October alone.

The government contends that the tool is vital to combat the “serious endangerment” of mobile network cybersecurity from fake or spoofed IMEI numbers, which enable scams and system 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 market research. While Apple includes its own proprietary applications on its devices, its company policies are said to forbid the inclusion of any third-party application before the purchase of a smartphone.

“Apple has historically declined these kinds of requests from authorities,” said Tarun Pathak, a research director at Counterpoint.

“It’s probable to aim for a negotiated solution: rather than a compulsory pre-install, they might discuss and ask for an option to prompt users towards downloading the application.”

Queries for comment from Apple, Google, Samsung, and Xiaomi went unanswered. India’s telecommunications department also remained silent.

The Role of the IMEI and the App's Function

The IMEI, or International Mobile Equipment Identity, is a unique identification number assigned to each mobile device. It is typically used by networks to block network access for phones reported as lost.

The government application is mainly intended to enable users track and track missing phones across all mobile carriers, using a national registry. It also lets them to detect, and disconnect, fraudulent mobile connections.

Impressive Usage and Outcomes

With over 5 million installs since its release, the app has already been used to block over 3.7 million missing mobile phones. Moreover, over 30 million fraudulent connections have also been disconnected through its use.

The government claims that the tool helps combating digital threats and assists in the tracking and disabling of lost or stolen phones, thereby helping police in tracing handsets and keeping cloned devices out of the illicit trade.