04.12.2025 08:50
The Indian government, in a decision made on November 28, mandated that the state-supported security application Sanchar Saathi be pre-installed on all new phones. It was also stated that the application would be automatically added to existing older devices through an update and could not be deleted by users.
The Indian government, in a decision published on November 28, made it mandatory for the state-supported mobile security application Sanchar Saathi to be pre-installed on all new phones.
DELETING THE APPLICATION IS PROHIBITED
According to the decision, the application will be forcibly added not only to new devices but also to existing old phones through updates. Moreover, users will not be allowed to delete the application.
THE GOVERNMENT'S MOBILE SECURITY PROJECT
Sanchar Saathi is at the center of the government's mobile security project, featuring the ability to remotely block stolen or lost devices, detect fake IMEIs, and prevent fraudulent communication attempts. The government made the application mandatory, citing the increasing cases of phone theft and mobile fraud in the country.
APPLE'S STRONG REACTION TO THE DECISION
Apple is openly opposing the decision. The company stated that it refuses to allow the installation of third-party or government applications without user consent on the iOS operating system. According to Apple, such a requirement poses serious risks in terms of both privacy and device security.
MAJOR DEBATE IN THE COUNTRY
India's decision has reignited the debate between national security priorities and user privacy. Apple's unwavering stance increases curiosity about how other manufacturers will respond. The decision is also expected to trigger discussions on "mandatory government applications" on a global scale.