Indian Government’s Request to Smartphone Manufacturers
The Indian government has approached various smartphone manufacturers, including tech giants like Apple, Samsung, and Xiaomi, with a request to pre-install a state-developed app known as Sanchar Saathi, according to a report from Reuters. The primary function of this app is to assist in locating stolen phones, blocking them, and preventing their misuse. The directive, which was supposed to be confidential, issued by the Ministry of Communications, also mandates that the app cannot be deleted, or at least that its features cannot be “disabled or restricted.”
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Response from the Ministry and Manufacturers
The Ministry has confirmed its request to the manufacturers. Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia described the initiative as “a voluntary and democratic system,” noting that users would have the option to activate it and could “easily remove it from their phone at any time.” However, there remains some ambiguity regarding the enforcement of this directive. Reuters has reported that Apple, in particular, plans to resist this directive vigorously.
Apple reportedly does not intend to comply with this directive and will inform the government that it does not adhere to such requirements anywhere in the world, as it raises significant privacy and security concerns for its iOS ecosystem. Two industry sources familiar with Apple’s concerns, who preferred to remain anonymous due to the confidentiality of the company’s strategy, expressed their views. “This isn’t just a blunt instrument; it’s a double-barreled gun,” one source remarked. According to another source, Apple does not plan to take legal action or make a public statement but will communicate to the government that it cannot comply with the directive due to security issues. “Apple simply cannot do that. Period,” the source stated.
Update on the Directive’s Status
Following widespread outcry over the matter, the Indian government has decided to drop the project, as reported by the Guardian on December 4, 2025, at 11:36.
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Ethan Rivers focuses on Android smartphones, emerging mobile platforms, and operating systems. With a critical yet fair perspective, he evaluates devices on performance, design, and ecosystem compatibility.