{"id":1303179,"date":"2025-12-03T08:40:59","date_gmt":"2025-12-03T03:10:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/trak.in\/stories\/?p=1303179"},"modified":"2025-12-03T08:41:29","modified_gmt":"2025-12-03T03:11:29","slug":"apple-refuses-to-pre-install-sanchar-saathi-app-on-iphones-in-india","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/trak.in\/stories\/apple-refuses-to-pre-install-sanchar-saathi-app-on-iphones-in-india\/","title":{"rendered":"Apple Refuses To Pre-Install Sanchar Saathi App On iPhones In India"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In a move that has sparked a major debate in India\u2019s tech ecosystem, Apple has reportedly refused to comply with the Indian government\u2019s directive requiring all smartphone makers to preload a state-run cybersecurity ap<\/a>p, Sanchar Saathi<\/strong>, on new devices. The order also seeks to push the app to existing devices and prevent users from disabling it \u2014 a demand Apple is not willing to accept due to privacy and security concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Apple<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Apple Says \u201cNo\u201d \u2014 Quietly, But Firmly<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

According to a Reuters <\/a>report, Apple plans to formally communicate to the government that it does not preload third-party or government-mandated apps<\/strong> on its devices. The company argues that doing so compromises user privacy, weakens system security, and sets a harmful precedent.
However, Apple is choosing not to escalate the matter publicly or legally \u2014 reflecting the strategic importance of India as a growing hardware market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Apple currently has about 9% market share<\/strong> in India, far behind Android manufacturers like Vivo, Oppo, and Samsung \u2014 all of whom have also been directed to install the app.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is Sanchar Saathi \u2014 And Why Is It Controversial?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sanchar Saathi (meaning Communication Partner<\/em>) is a government-developed mobile safety app used to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  • Track and block stolen or lost phones using IMEI<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Check the validity of a device<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Identify all mobile numbers registered under a person<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Report suspected fraud communication<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    The app is already available on the App Store and Play Store. The new mandate, however, goes much further \u2014 requiring:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    • Mandatory pre-installation on all new phones<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Forced software updates adding the app to existing devices<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • A ban on disabling or removing it<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      Cybersecurity experts warn that an undeletable government app could become a tool for surveillance<\/strong>, data access, or backdoor monitoring \u2014 even if unintended.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Government Says \u201cOptional\u201d \u2014 But the Order Says Otherwise<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said on Tuesday that \u201cthe app is optional \u2014 users can delete it.\u201d<\/strong>
      But this statement directly contradicts the reported contents of the government\u2019s own order, which explicitly states the app must not be removable<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      This contradiction has intensified criticism from digital rights groups, who argue that the directive violates privacy rights and undermines user control over devices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      What Happens Next?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

      Apple is expected to formally convey its objections soon. The government may revise the order or offer clarifications, especially as the pushback grows.
      For now, India\u2019s attempt to improve telecom security has collided with global standards of digital privacy \u2014 setting up a crucial debate on the future of device governance in the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n\n\n\n

      <\/h2>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      In a move that has sparked a major debate in India\u2019s tech ecosystem, Apple has reportedly refused to comply with the Indian government\u2019s directive requiring all smartphone makers to preload a state-run cybersecurity app, Sanchar Saathi, on new devices. The order also seeks to push the app to existing devices and prevent users from disabling […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":30,"featured_media":1303184,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[55,6076],"class_list":["post-1303179","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-business","tag-apple","tag-sanchar-saathi"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nApple Refuses To Pre-Install Sanchar Saathi App On iPhones In India - Trak.in - Indian Business of Tech, Mobile & Startups<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/trak.in\/stories\/apple-refuses-to-pre-install-sanchar-saathi-app-on-iphones-in-india\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Apple Refuses To Pre-Install Sanchar Saathi App On iPhones In India - Trak.in - Indian Business of Tech, Mobile & Startups\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"In a move that has sparked a major debate in India\u2019s tech ecosystem, Apple has reportedly refused to comply with the Indian government\u2019s directive requiring all smartphone makers to preload a state-run cybersecurity app, Sanchar Saathi, on new devices. 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