Why did India order smartphone makers to install a government app?

In December 2025, India rescinded an order requiring smartphone manufacturers like Apple and Samsung to pre-install the government's Sanchar Saathi cybersecurity application on all new mobile devices. The Department of Telecommunications had issued the directive in November, giving manufacturers 90 days to comply. The government, led by the BJP, stated the app was intended to combat mobile phone fraud and misuse. However, the order faced significant opposition from tech companies and privacy advocates, with Apple reportedly refusing to comply due to privacy and security concerns. The directive also required companies to submit compliance reports to the telecom ministry within 120 days.

India's government has withdrawn a recent order requiring smartphone manufacturers to pre-install the state-run Sanchar Saathi cyber safety app on new devices. The initial directive, which gave manufacturers 90 days to comply, raised privacy and surveillance concerns among cybersecurity experts and smartphone companies like Apple and Samsung. The government initially justified the mandate as necessary for verifying handset authenticity. However, after public backlash and resistance from tech companies, the order was rescinded, citing the app's growing popularity, with 14 million downloads and a surge in new users. Despite the reversal, digital advocacy groups are awaiting official documentation to confirm the withdrawal and any potential revised cybersecurity rules.

The Indian government has ordered smartphone manufacturers, including Apple and Samsung, to pre-install its state-owned Sanchar Saathi app on all new and existing phones within 90 days. The government claims the app is a security measure to combat cyber fraud, regulate the secondhand phone market, and help citizens track lost phones and fraudulent connections. However, the mandate has sparked political opposition and criticism from digital freedom activists who fear it grants the government unchecked access to user data and enables surveillance. Opposition leaders have condemned the move as a violation of privacy. Reportedly, Apple intends to refuse compliance due to security concerns, while other tech companies have yet to respond publicly.

India's telecoms ministry has ordered smartphone manufacturers, including Apple and Samsung, to preload all new devices with the government's Sanchar Saathi cybersecurity app within 90 days, starting from November 28. The app, designed to combat cybercrime and hacking by addressing issues like duplicate IMEI numbers, cannot be uninstalled by users. For devices already in the supply chain, manufacturers must push the app via software updates. The government cites the app's success in recovering lost phones as justification, while technology lawyers and privacy advocates express concern over the removal of user consent and potential parallels with similar requirements in Russia. Apple, known for resisting pre-installation of third-party apps, may seek a compromise with the Indian government.