The Indian government has issued a new rule that will affect every new smartphone sold in the country. Starting soon, all phones may come with a preloaded cyber-safety government app called Sanchar Saathi, which can apparently not be deleted.
Sachar Saathi could be made compulsory
A new report from Reuters states that the new order from the Indian government applies to major brands including Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi, Vivo and Oppo. Companies have been given 90 days to make the change and pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app (Android, iOS) on their new phones.
Phones that are already in stores or warehouses will also need to get the app via a software update and it will reportedly not be possible to delete the app.
For those unaware, Sanchar Saathi is a cyber-safety app aimed at helping users:
- Block or disable lost or stolen phones
- Check if a phone's IMEI number is genuine
- Report suspicious or fraudulent mobile numbers
The government says the app has already helped recover more than 700,000 lost phones and block over 30 million fake or suspicious mobile connections this year.
The move has raised concerns among smartphone makers, especially Apple, which normally does not allow any third-party or government apps to be installed this way.
However, manufacturers now need to decide how they will follow the order and whether they will ask the government to soften the rule in some way. For consumers, the app may improve protection against fraud, but it also raises new questions about privacy and user choice.
