Apple to Resist India’s Order to Preload State-Run App as Political Outcry Builds
NEW DELHI — Apple plans to push back against an Indian government mandate requiring smartphone makers to preload a state-run cybersecurity app on all devices sold in the country, according to sources familiar with the matter. The move has sparked privacy concerns and drawn criticism from opposition leaders and digital rights advocates.
India’s telecom ministry has privately instructed manufacturers — including Apple, Samsung, and Xiaomi — to install the app called Sanchar Saathi (Communication Partner) on all new smartphones within 90 days. The app, designed to track and block stolen devices, must also remain active and cannot be disabled by users. For devices already in the supply chain, manufacturers are expected to push the app via a software update.
While the government frames the mandate as a security measure to combat phone theft and network misuse, critics argue it could enable state surveillance of India’s estimated 730 million smartphone users.
Apple’s Firm Stance
Apple does not intend to comply with the directive and will convey its concerns directly to the Indian government, according to three industry sources. The company maintains that such a mandate contradicts its global privacy and security standards for the iOS ecosystem.
“It’s not only like taking a sledgehammer — this is like a double-barrel gun,” one source remarked, emphasizing Apple’s stringent control over preloaded software.
Another source stated plainly, “Apple can’t do this. Period.”
The tech giant is not planning to take the matter to court or make a public statement at this stage but will instead engage privately with officials, highlighting the security vulnerabilities and user privacy risks it believes the order introduces.
Political and Industry Backlash
India’s main opposition party, Congress, has called for the mandate to be withdrawn. Senior Congress leader KC Venugopal posted on X, “Big Brother cannot watch us,” reflecting widespread anxiety over state overreach.
Other manufacturers, such as Samsung, are reportedly reviewing the order but have not yet publicly commented.
The mandate arrives amid ongoing legal tensions between Apple and Indian regulators. The company is already contesting an antitrust penalty and has said it could face fines of up to $38 billion in a separate case.
Government’s Rationale
In an official statement, India’s telecom ministry defended the order as necessary to address “serious endangerment” of cybersecurity. It pointed to issues such as duplicated or spoofed IMEI numbers — unique device identifiers — which facilitate scams and network misuse.
“India has a big second-hand mobile device market,” the ministry noted. “Cases have also been observed where stolen or blacklisted devices are being resold.”
A Broader Clash Over Digital Control
The standoff highlights a growing tension between global tech giants and national governments over digital sovereignty, security, and user privacy. While Apple tightly controls its App Store and operating system to maintain security standards, Android’s open-source model allows manufacturers more flexibility to modify software — potentially making compliance easier for brands like Samsung and Xiaomi.
As discussions unfold behind closed doors, the outcome could set a significant precedent for how India balances cybersecurity objectives with the privacy expectations of its vast digital population.
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