India orders non-removable Sanchar Saathi on all smartphones; Apple pushes back

Indian authorities have ordered Apple and other smartphone makers to preinstall the state-run Sanchar Saathi app on all new devices, and users will not be able to remove it. On top of that, the app will be pushed to phones already sold through a software update.

The decision, taken by the Ministry of Telecommunications (DoT) on November 28 and published by Reuters, gives companies 90 days to comply. The document was not intended for public release and was sent to manufacturers on a confidential basis.

The government’s official rationale is to enhance user security and help locate stolen devices. In effect, though, the app opens the door to tracking smartphones nationwide, a prospect that understandably intensifies privacy worries.

At the same time, Indian Express reports that the DoT is requiring end-to-end encrypted messengers to link user accounts to the SIM card’s unique IMSI number. Because SIM cards in India are sold only with government identification, this would enable authorities to determine the identity of any messenger user.

According to sources, Apple is preparing to challenge the move and press for a compromise, for example by making installation optional and offering the app during initial device setup. If negotiations fall through, the company would still have to comply.

The stakes are clear: India is not only one of the fastest-growing markets but also a key manufacturing hub for Apple. Refusal would effectively amount to exiting the market—an outcome the company can scarcely consider. The mandate is also likely to spark another round of debate over where the line between safety and privacy should be drawn.