Apple rejects India’s directive to preload Sanchar Saathi app
Guwahati: Apple has informed industry partners that it does not intend to comply with the Indian government's directive requiring smartphone manufacturers to preload the state-owned cyber safety app Sanchar Saathi, according to three people familiar with the matter.
The company is preparing to formally raise its objections with New Delhi, the sources said.
The government recently issued a confidential order instructing Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi, and other smartphone makers to preinstall the Sanchar Saathi app within 90 days. Officials also asked companies to ensure users cannot disable the app and to push it to phones already in the supply chain via mandatory software updates.
The telecom ministry later confirmed the order publicly, calling it a national security measure designed to help track and block stolen devices and curb cybercrime. However, opposition political leaders and digital rights experts immediately accused the government of creating a potential surveillance tool that could threaten the privacy of India’s 730 million smartphone users.
Apple Flags Global Policy and iOS Security Concerns
Two industry insiders said Apple will tell the government that it does not support forced app installations anywhere in the world, as such mandates compromise the security architecture of the iOS ecosystem. They emphasized that the company views the order as a direct risk to both privacy protections and OS integrity.
One source described the order as “not just heavy-handed—it's like using a double-barrel gun.”
Apple and the telecom ministry declined to comment.
Political Backlash and Privacy Concerns Intensify
The directive sparked uproar inside and outside Parliament on Tuesday. Several MPs alleged that the app could be misused for mass surveillance. Congress MP Rahul Gandhi said he planned to raise the issue in Parliament, while party leader K. C. Venugopal wrote on X that “Big Brother cannot watch us.”
The government defended the requirement, arguing that India faces increasing cases of duplicated IMEI numbers, phone spoofing, and resale of stolen devices—problems it says the app can address. Officials said the rule supports efforts to combat cyber fraud and misuse of mobile networks.
Other Smartphone Makers Assess the Order
While Apple maintains highly restrictive control over iOS, other companies running Google’s open-source Android system—such as Samsung and Xiaomi—have greater flexibility to modify their software.
A fourth industry source said Samsung is still reviewing the government’s order. Xiaomi and Samsung did not respond to requests for comment.
Industry executives noted that the mandate appears to have been issued without formal consultation, catching several companies by surprise.
Apple is also currently battling a high-stakes antitrust case in India, where it faces potential penalties of up to $38 billion—a backdrop that adds complexity to its refusal to comply with the latest mandate.