Apple Poised to Defy India’s Directive on Mandatory Sanchar Saathi App Installation, Sparking Privacy Debate
Apple is reportedly set to disregard an Indian government mandate compelling smartphone manufacturers to preload the state-owned cybersecurity application, Sanchar Saathi.
Sources acquainted with the situation have disclosed that this confidential directive targets major manufacturers, including Apple, Samsung, and Xiaomi, with a stipulation that the app be installed within a 90-day window and remain inoperable for users.
Mobile devices already ensconced in the supply chain are anticipated to receive the application via software updates.
The Ministry of Telecommunications affirmed this initiative, branding it a security protocol aimed at mitigating what they termed “serious risks” to cybersecurity.
Detractors, including opposition politicians and advocates for privacy rights, have expressed grave concerns that such a mandate might afford the government unprecedented access to a staggering 730 million smartphones across the nation.
Industry insiders indicated that Apple intends to convey to New Delhi that it does not acquiesce to such mandates elsewhere due to potential threat implications for its iOS ecosystem, as reported by Reuters.
Political Backlash and Industry Implications
The directive ignited a firestorm of criticism both within and beyond Parliament this past Tuesday. Lawmakers voiced their apprehensions regarding the government’s move, branding it a possible surveillance device.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi declared his intention to address the issue in Parliament, while KC Venugopal took to the social media platform X, proclaiming, “Big Brother cannot watch us.”
Officials extolled the app’s utility in combating counterfeit or spoofed IMEI numbers and curtailing the trade in stolen devices, especially in light of India’s burgeoning second-hand mobile marketplace.
In addition to this controversy, Apple is grappling with a significant antitrust case in India, potentially incurring fines upwards of $38 billion.
Reports indicate that Apple is unlikely to escalate this matter through litigation but will emphasize its inability to comply due to security risks, according to another source.
Other manufacturers, including Samsung, are scrutinizing the directive as well, with industry insiders asserting that the government issued the mandate without adequate prior consultation.
Can You Delete It?
Indian Union Minister for Communications, Jyotiraditya Scindia, has clarified that users will have the option to remove the Sanchar Saathi app from their devices, alleviating some privacy concerns that erupted post-directive.
“If you don’t want Sanchar Saathi, you can delete it. It is optional,” Scindia stated during an interview with the news agency ANI on December 2.
“It is our duty to introduce this app to everyone. Whether to retain it on their devices is, ultimately, the user’s choice,” he further elucidated.
Source link: Firstpost.com.
