Reuters has reported that the Indian government is requiring smartphone manufacturers to preinstall a state-run cybersecurity application that cannot be removed on devices sold within the country. The publication states that Apple intends to refuse compliance with this governmental directive. According to Reuters, the Department of Communications in India has mandated that smartphone manufacturers begin pre-installing the government app by default within 90 days. This application is said to aim at reducing fraud and cybercrime, as it would authenticate IMEIs to prevent the use of stolen devices. Nonetheless, this app is reportedly non-removable and cannot be turned off.
Due to this, sources aware of Apple’s objections have indicated that the company does not intend to comply with the directive, planning to inform the government that it does not adhere to such requirements anywhere globally, citing numerous privacy and security complications for the iOS ecosystem. “It’s not just like using a sledgehammer; it’s akin to a double-barreled gun,” remarked one of the sources cited by Reuters.
