India’s telecoms ministry has privately asked smartphone makers to preload all new devices with a state-owned cybersecurity app that cannot be deleted, a government order showed, a move likely to antagonise Apple and privacy advocates.
And the people in the market for a smartphone, surely? Or don't they count?
In tackling a recent surge of cybercrime and hacking, India is joining authorities worldwide, most recently in Russia, to frame rules blocking the use of stolen phones for fraud or promoting state-backed government service apps.
How long before Britain joins them?
Apple, which has previously locked horns with the telecoms regulator over development of a government anti-spam mobile app, is among the companies, such as Samsung, Vivo, Oppo and Xiaomi bound by the new order. The 28 November order gives major smartphone companies 90 days to ensure that the government’s Sanchar Saathi app is pre-installed on new mobile phones, with a provision that users cannot disable it.
What about existing phones? Oh they have a plan for those too!
For devices already in the supply chain, manufacturers should push the app to phones via software updates, the ministry said in its order, which was not made public and was sent privately to select companies.
Who ptromptly leaked it, shoeing just how likely they are to comply.
A lawyer specialising in technology matters said India’s move was cause for concern, however.
“Apple has historically refused such requests from governments,” said Tarun Pathak, a research director at Counterpoint.
And they aren't about to start going along with this nonsense now...
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