Apple to resist Indian govt’s order to preload state-owned app on iPhone
New Delhi: American tech giant Apple has said it will not comply with a directive from the Indian government requiring all smartphone companies to pre-install the state-owned cyber security app, Sanchaar Saathi, (also known as “Communication Partner”) on their devices.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the Indian government secretly instructed several companies, including Apple, Samsung, and Xiaomi, to install the app on their phones within 90 days, Reuters reported.
The Modi government claims that the app is designed to track, block, and prevent the misuse of stolen mobile phones. According to official guidelines, not only new phones but all devices in stock must also be updated with the app through a software update, and users will not be able to delete it from their phones.
However, Apple has made it clear that it does not plan to comply with such government mandates in any country, as it believes that this poses a security and privacy threat to the company’s iOS ecosystem and will tell New Delhi that they cannot comply.
Indian opposition parties and privacy advocacy groups have strongly criticized this decision. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said that the move seems to be an attempt by the government to gain access to the personal data of India’s 730 million smartphone users. He argued that this app could be used as a tool for increased surveillance on citizens.
Samsung and other companies have also begun reviewing the government’s orders.
