India has mandated that all newly manufactured smartphones be equipped with a non-removable state-run cybersecurity application called Sanchar Saathi. This order, which was issued last week and made public recently, requires smartphone manufacturers to comply within 90 days. The government asserts that this app will assist users in validating the authenticity of mobile devices and reporting misuse of telecom services.
Launched earlier this year, the Sanchar Saathi app enables users to check a device’s IMEI number, report missing or stolen phones, and identify suspected fraudulent communications. The IMEI, a unique 15-digit identifier, serves as a serial number for mobile devices. According to officials from India’s Department of Telecommunications, duplicate or spoofed IMEI numbers pose significant risks to cybersecurity in the telecom sector. The government notes that the second-hand mobile market is substantial, with instances of stolen or blacklisted devices being resold, potentially resulting in financial loss for consumers.
The new regulation stipulates that the app must be easily accessible during the device setup process and cannot be disabled or restricted. Manufacturers are also encouraged to ensure that the app is made available through software updates for unsold devices.
While the government claims that this initiative will enhance telecom cybersecurity—highlighting that the app has reportedly helped recover over 700,000 lost phones—experts have expressed concerns regarding privacy and the level of data the app may collect. The advocacy group Internet Freedom Foundation pointed out that this requirement effectively embeds government-mandated software within every smartphone in India, prompting questions about user consent and data security.
Compliance with this mandate may pose challenges for manufacturers, particularly for companies like Apple, which traditionally oppose pre-installation of government applications on their devices. Although this situation is unique, similar regulations have emerged in other countries, such as Russia, which has required devices to come pre-installed with state-backed applications.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cedxyvx74p4o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss