India mandates govt security app on new phones: Report

India's telecom ministry has mandated that all new smartphones feature a government-operated cybersecurity application, according to a report by Reuters. This initiative requires the integration of the Sanchar Saathi app into devices, which cannot be removed or turned off by users. The move is anticipated to create tension, particularly with Apple, and to attract concern from digital rights advocates worried about privacy implications. This decision arises as India, boasting over 1.2 billion mobile subscribers, aims to enhance its defenses against cyber fraud, phone theft, and the misuse of cloned or spoofed IMEI numbers. Officials have pointed out that the app has demonstrated its effectiveness, with internal data indicating it has assisted in recovering over 700,000 lost or stolen phones since January, including a remarkable 50,000 in just October. The Sanchar Saathi app offers users tools to verify IMEI numbers, flag suspicious communications, and request the blocking of stolen devices through a centralized government platform. Authorities claim that the app has played a vital role in shutting down more than 30 million fraudulent connections and preventing 3.7 million stolen devices from accessing Indian networks. According to the ministry, the application is crucial in combating the significant threats posed to telecom security by counterfeit IMEIs, which are often used by scammers to disguise device identities. Issued on November 28, the new regulations give smartphone manufacturers a 90-day window to ensure the app is included in all new units sold in India. Additionally, companies are expected to implement the software on devices already in the supply chain through forthcoming system updates. This requirement is likely to be particularly contentious for Apple, which has a strict policy against pre-installing government or third-party applications prior to sale, as noted by a Reuters source. The tech giant has consistently resisted such government mandates worldwide and may seek to negotiate a solution that allows users to install the app voluntarily rather than forcing it upon them. As of now, Apple, Google, Samsung, and Xiaomi have not issued any public statements regarding the directive, and the telecom ministry has also remained tight-lipped. The IMEI number, typically 14 to 17 digits long, is essential for identifying individual devices and disabling network access for stolen phones. Officials assert that improving IMEI oversight will enable law enforcement to track devices more effectively and reduce the prevalence of counterfeit products.