India Mandates State App on All New Smartphones

The Indian government has issued a directive requiring all smartphone manufacturers, including Apple, Samsung, Vivo, and Xiaomi, to preload a state-owned cybersecurity app named Sanchar Saathi onto every new device. This order, communicated on November 28, gives manufacturers a 90-day period to comply.

The government claims this app is essential for combating rising cybercrime and phone theft. However, the mandate effectively removes user consent, as the app cannot be deleted, raising alarms among privacy advocates.

Technology lawyer Mishi Choudhari has criticized the compulsory nature of this order, likening it to previous controversial mandates in Russia. The government's approach has been described as a dangerous step towards digital authoritarianism, with concerns that smartphones will transform from personal devices into tools for state surveillance.

The implications for user privacy and the potential conflict for companies operating in India's vast market remain significant.