The Indian government has issued a major order: every new smartphone will now have this app, and users won't be able to remove it even if they want to.

Did you know that every new smartphone will now have a mandatory government app installed, which you can't remove. Will this affect user privacy? Let's find out...

The Indian government has taken a major step to strengthen cybersecurity. The government has ordered all major smartphone companies to pre-install the government cybersecurity app "Sanchar Saathi" on every new phone within the next 90 days. Importantly, this app cannot be removed or disabled from phones. This order, issued on November 28th, was not made public but was sent privately to select companies. India is one of the world's largest mobile markets, with over 1.2 billion telecom users. The government claims that this app has proven extremely effective in tracking stolen mobile phones, identifying fake IMEIs, and preventing cyber fraud. Since its launch, it has recovered over 700,000 lost phones and blocked over 37 million fraudulent connections.

How will Apple comply with this order?

This order has put many smartphone brands, especially Apple, in a difficult position. According to Apple's policies, it does not allow any third-party or government apps to be pre-installed on phones before sale. Apple has previously objected to such government apps, and this time, too, everyone is watching the company's actions. Experts say that Apple will not directly refuse the government, but may find a middle ground, such as showing users a notification or pop-up prompting them to download the app instead of making it mandatory. Companies like Samsung, Xiaomi, Vivo, and Oppo will also be covered by this order. However, no company has yet issued an official statement on this matter.

How does this app help with IMEI checking, phone tracking, and preventing cyber fraud?

The government states that making the Sanchar Saathi app mandatory is necessary because increasing cyber fraud, fake IMEIs, and fake mobile connections pose a serious threat to the country's cyber security. The IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is a unique 14-17 digit number that identifies each mobile phone. Fraudsters alter this IMEI to create fake connections, make scam calls, and misuse stolen mobile phones. The Sanchar Saathi app allows users to check IMEIs, block lost phones, report suspicious calls, and track stolen phones. According to police and cyber agencies, this app has not only reduced crime but also reduced the supply of counterfeit mobile phones in the black market.

Will this uninstallable app impact users' privacy and freedom?

The government believes this step is crucial for the safety of the public, but experts working on digital rights and privacy are concerned about this decision. They argue that preventing the uninstallation of apps could impact user freedom and privacy. Many users also feel uncomfortable with pre-installed and unremovable apps. It will be interesting to see how smartphone companies implement this government mandate, especially Apple, whose policies are the exact opposite of this directive.