India’s telecom ministry has reportedly ordered smartphone manufacturers including Apple, Samsung, and Xiaomi to preload a state run application called “Sanchar Saathi” on all new devices within 90 days.
The government frames the move as a national security measure to combat stolen devices and IMEI fraud. But the technical reality is stark: mandating pre-installed government software introduces significant privacy risks and compromises the security model of modern mobile operating systems.
RIf the dispute escalates, Apple could face restrictions in one of its largest emerging markets a decision with major global impact.
User have already accused the govt. mandated Sanchar Saathi app, which can't be deleted or disabled as being a tool for mass surveillance, claiming it has system level permission and can even read our phone logs, take pictures, modify and delete content of storage.
In response to this, Apple, which has always been renown for it's focus on privacy has stated it will resist the Indian Govenrment's order to preload the state-run app as political outcry builds
It would be interesting to see what would happen if you try to flash the ROM on android phones with this installed
The government frames the move as a national security measure to combat stolen devices and IMEI fraud. But the technical reality is stark: mandating pre-installed government software introduces significant privacy risks and compromises the security model of modern mobile operating systems.
RIf the dispute escalates, Apple could face restrictions in one of its largest emerging markets a decision with major global impact.
User have already accused the govt. mandated Sanchar Saathi app, which can't be deleted or disabled as being a tool for mass surveillance, claiming it has system level permission and can even read our phone logs, take pictures, modify and delete content of storage.
In response to this, Apple, which has always been renown for it's focus on privacy has stated it will resist the Indian Govenrment's order to preload the state-run app as political outcry builds
It would be interesting to see what would happen if you try to flash the ROM on android phones with this installed
