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In a major move, India's telecommunications authority has privately directed mobile phone companies to preload all new devices with a national cybersecurity tool that is non-removable. This directive, which has been disclosed, is likely to antagonise leading technology companies like Apple and raise concerns among consumer watchdogs.

A Global Trend in Cybersecurity Policy

To combat a recent surge of online fraud and hacking, India is following authorities internationally. This action parallels similar regulations framed in nations like Russia, which aim to curb the use of lost phones for scams and push government-developed applications.

Which Companies Are Affected by the Directive?

The new directive binds leading smartphone brands active in the Indian market. Among them are Apple, which has in the past locked horns with the telecom authority over comparable apps, as well as leaders like Samsung, Vivo, Oppo, and Xiaomi.

Specifics of the Government Order

An order dated 28 November gives smartphone companies a 90-day period to ensure that the official "Messenger Friend" application is factory-loaded on all new devices. A notable provision is that users are prevented from deleting the application.

For devices currently in the supply chain, companies are required to deliver the app via system updates. It is important that this order was privately circulated and was communicated selectively to chosen manufacturers.

User Consent Worries Voiced

However, technology experts have expressed major concerns regarding this move. A legal expert focusing in technology matters said that India's step is a worrying development.

“The government in essence removes user consent as a real choice,” said Mishi Choudhary, an expert working on digital rights matters.

Digital rights groups had previously questioned a similar mandate by Russia in August for a government-sponsored messenger called Max to be included on phones.

The Scale of the Domestic Market

India, among the world's biggest telephone markets, boasts more than 1.2 billion connections. Government data indicate that the cybersecurity application, launched in January, has already helped recovering more than 700,000 lost phones, with approximately 50,000 found in October by itself.

The authorities contends that the tool is essential to fight the “significant endangerment” of telecom cybersecurity from duplicate or tampered IMEI numbers, which are used for fraud and system misuse.

Apple's Stance

Apple's iOS runs on an approximate 4.5% of the 735 million smartphones in India, with the rest using Android, as per industry analysis. While Apple includes its own first-party apps on its devices, its internal policies reportedly prohibit the installation of any third-party application before the sale of a device.

“Apple has historically refused these kinds of requests from governments,” commented Tarun Pathak, a analyst at Counterpoint.

“It’s probable to pursue a compromise: rather than a compulsory inclusion, they might negotiate and ask for an alternative to encourage users towards installing the application.”

Requests for comment from Apple, Google, Samsung, and Xiaomi went unanswered. India’s telecommunications ministry also offered no comment.

The Role of the IMEI and the App's Function

The IMEI, or International Mobile Equipment Identity, is a 14- to 17-digit number unique to each mobile device. It is primarily used by carriers to block network access for phones reported as stolen.

The government app is primarily designed to enable users track and track missing smartphones across all mobile carriers, using a national registry. It also lets them to spot, and block, fraudulent mobile connections.

Impressive Adoption and Results

With over 5 million installs since its launch, the app has reportedly helped block more than 3.7 million stolen or lost mobile phones. Additionally, more than 30 million fraudulent connections have also been terminated through its use.

The government asserts that the app aids in combating digital threats and assists in the locating and disabling of lost or stolen phones, thereby helping police in tracing handsets and keeping counterfeits out of the black market.