India has ordered all new smartphones to come pre-loaded with a state-run cybersecurity app, sparking privacy and surveillance concerns.
Under the order - passed last week but made public on Monday - smartphone makers have 90 days to ensure all new devices come with the government's Sanchar Saathi app, whose functionalities cannot be disabled or restricted.
The app's purpose is to help citizens verify the authenticity of handsets and report suspected misuse of telecom resources. The move has been critiqued by cyber experts, who believe it infringes on citizens' right to privacy.
Under the app's privacy policy, it can manage phone calls, send messages, and access various phone logs and files. The Internet Freedom Foundation criticized the move as it essentially turns every smartphone sold in India into a mandatory vessel for state software.
India's Minister of Communications, Jyotiradtiya Scindia, clarified that users could delete the app if they wish, but did not specify how this would work given that its functionalities cannot be restricted.
Launched in January, Sanchar Saathi allows users to check device IMEI numbers, report lost or stolen phones, and flag fraudulent communications. The government argues that this is vital for ensuring telecom cybersecurity.
However, the app’s extensive permissions have raised concerns about potential data collection and surveillance. Critics, including technology analyst Prasanto K Roy, warned that this could lead to significant privacy violations.
While India's smartphone market is largely Android-based, Apple’s compliance with this order remains uncertain, as the company reportedly intends to voice its concerns to the Indian government.
