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India has granted major manufacturers, such as Apple and Samsung, 90 days to pre-install the “Sanchar Saathi” application on new devices. The opposition criticized this move as “extremely unconstitutional.”

The Indian government has mandated that smartphone manufacturers pre-install a government-backed cybersecurity application on all new devices and restrict users from uninstalling it, according to a statement released by the Press Information Bureau (PIB).

As reported by Reuters, the order issued on November 28 requires major manufacturers such as Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi, Vivo, and Oppo to pre-install the “Sanchar Saathi” application on new devices within 90 days.

Devices currently in use will have to obtain the app via software updates, according to the directive, which was shared confidentially with the companies.

No possibility for users to turn off the application

As per the official government statement, the application needs to be installed by default, visible, and completely operational during the initial setup, without any possibility for users to turn it off.

The authorities claim the application is essential to address increasing cybercrime, fake identification numbers, and phone scams, stating on their website that it aims to “support mobile users, enhance their security, and raise awareness regarding government-led initiatives focused on citizens.”

Sanchar Saathi enables users to block and locate misplaced or stolen devices, having successfully recovered over 700,000 phones, as per official statistics.

Possibly cause resistance from Apple, privacy activists

Privacy experts criticized the mandate, claiming it removes users’ consent.

An advocacy organization known as the Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF) stated that this action represents “a significant and concerning increase in executive authority over personal digital devices.”

“This turns every smartphone sold in India into a carrier for government-mandated software that users cannot effectively reject, manage, or delete,” the IFF statement mentioned.

IFF stated it will contest the regulation in court, if necessary.

The leader of the opposition Congress party, KC Venugopal, condemned the government’s action, describing it as “extremely unconstitutional.”

“A government application that is pre-installed and cannot be removed is a dystopian device used to track every Indian. It serves as a method to monitor every action, connection, and choice made by each individual,” Venugopal posted on X.

Russia encountered comparable criticism in August when it mandated that phones include a government-supported messaging application.

Security specialists also highlight that Apple’s guidelines forbid the installation of third-party or government applications, with the tech company traditionally rejecting such demands from authorities.

Telecom department mandates SIM card registration

India’s telecommunications regulator also mandated that leading messaging applications link each user account to the device’s SIM card and implement periodic logouts for web sessions — aiming to curb fraud and abuse, according to the authority.

WhatsApp, Telegram, Snapchat, and Signal are some of the other applications included in this regulation and must adhere to it within 90 days.

India, a major global mobile market boasting over 1.2 billion users.

Edited by: Elizabeth Schumacher

Author: Shakeel Sobhan (with Reuters)