India is open to revising the mandate for smartphone manufacturers to pre-install a government cybersecurity app, according to the telecoms minister on Wednesday. This comes in response to surveillance concerns.
Earlier, the main opposition criticized the government, while editorials and privacy advocates condemned the move. Phone manufacturers, including Apple, are also expected to resist. Apple reportedly does not intend to comply with the directive.
“We are prepared to amend the order based on feedback,” Communications Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia informed parliamentarians.
Confidential orders from the Indian government require companies like Apple, Samsung, and Xiaomi to install the Sanchar Saathi app on new phones within 90 days, as reported by Reuters.
The government asserts the app is designed to track and block stolen phones to prevent misuse.
Senior Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala demanded clarity on the legal grounds for “mandating a non-removable app” and urged a parliamentary debate on privacy and security.
“There is a grave concern that such an app might have a backdoor, compromising user data and privacy,” he added.
The notice also requested information on independent cybersecurity audits and safeguards for the app.
As a cybersecurity measure, the government has ordered that the app be included in software updates for existing phones and be non-disableable.
Russian example
Industry sources say Modi’s plan is unprecedented, with Russia being a rare parallel. In August, Moscow mandated the pre-installation of a state-backed messenger app, MAX, on all phones and tablets.
Apple plans to express its concerns to New Delhi, emphasizing it does not comply with such mandates globally due to privacy and security issues within its iOS ecosystem.
The directive has sparked heated debate on Indian news channels, with politicians and privacy advocates discussing its implications.
Major newspapers, including The Indian Express, have expressed concerns about surveillance and privacy intrusion.
The Times of India urged the government to “withdraw the order,” stating that phones are “private spaces” and such mandates raise future intrusion fears.
This controversy is the second significant privacy-related criticism Modi has faced. In 2020, his government was criticized for a mandatory COVID-19 contact-tracing app, which was later made optional after protests.
Despite the backlash, app downloads increased, with Sensor Tower reporting a 13% rise on Monday to 78,000 downloads.
