India’s Department of Telecommunications has formally issued a directive that gives smartphone manufacturers a ninety‑day deadline to comply with a new governmental mandate obligating them to include a specific state‑owned mobile application on their devices. According to a report from Reuters, manufacturers must not only ensure that this app is preinstalled on all newly produced phones but also distribute it to existing users through forthcoming software updates. This measure effectively extends the app’s reach to both new and current phones across the Indian market, covering every major smartphone brand operating in the country.
Reuters further notes that the order was circulated privately to manufacturers on November 28th and that it encompasses a wide spectrum of major industry players, including Apple, Samsung, Vivo, Oppo, and Xiaomi. Each of these companies—representing a significant share of India’s mobile ecosystem—has been instructed to adhere to the requirements set forth in the communication. The confidential nature of the directive underscores the government’s cautious yet decisive approach to implementing the policy, seeking compliance while potentially avoiding earlier public scrutiny during its rollout period.
This move mirrors a precedent established elsewhere. Back in August, Russia introduced a comparable regulation compelling smartphone makers to preload a government‑supported messaging platform known as Max. By drawing this parallel, Reuters highlights that India’s decision does not arise in isolation but reflects a broader international trend in which states seek greater control or integration within their respective digital infrastructures through the preinstallation of official software.
In the Indian case, the government‑owned application in question is *Sanchar Saathi*, which is already available on mainstream digital distribution channels, including Apple’s App Store and Google’s Play Store. Until now, however, installation had been optional and left entirely to user discretion. The new directive transforms its status from a voluntary utility to a mandatory component of the smartphone ecosystem, embedded by default in every device sold in the country. Moreover, under the new rules, users would no longer possess the ability to disable or uninstall the program, ensuring that its functionality remains continuously active and accessible.
The *Sanchar Saathi* app serves multiple public‑interest purposes focused primarily on security and consumer protection. It allows users to block or trace mobile devices that are lost or stolen by leveraging their unique IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) numbers—an essential identifier for every handset. Additionally, the app provides a reporting tool that enables users to flag suspicious or fraudulent communications, such as scam messages or potentially deceptive calls. Through these capabilities, the application aims to strengthen both personal digital security and the broader integrity of the country’s telecommunications system.
Although Apple’s iPhone maintains only a modest share of India’s vast smartphone market, the company’s financial performance in the region continues to rise dramatically. In September, Apple recorded a historic revenue peak of nine billion U.S. dollars—a milestone that underscores the company’s growing commercial relevance in India. This expansion aligns with a larger trend of global technology giants establishing a stronger operational footprint within the country. Similarly, Google has recently advanced its own strategic efforts by launching direct online sales of its Pixel phones for Indian consumers earlier in the year, a move that complements its broader investment in the local manufacturing of hardware.
Both Apple and Google have, in recent years, intensified their domestic production activities, responding to India’s push for greater local manufacturing and supply chain diversification. These initiatives coincide with the government’s increasingly assertive intervention in digital governance, wherein compliance requirements now extend into the realm of preloaded software content. Despite the magnitude of the directive and its potential commercial implications, both Apple and Google declined to issue immediate public statements in response to Reuters’ request for comment. Their silence leaves open questions about how international technology companies will navigate this evolving landscape of regulatory imposition and state involvement in digital consumer ecosystems.
Sourse: https://www.theverge.com/news/834998/india-sanchar-saathi-app-order-apple-android
