Sanchar Saathi preload order: Apple pushes back against mandate; Govt says app can be deleted

Union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Tuesday said the Sanchar Saathi app, a fraud reporting app the government wants pre-installed on all devices, can be deleted by users.

Users could decide to keep the Sanchar Saathi app or delete it, Scindia told reporters on Tuesday.

The Department of Telecom has directed manufacturers and importers of mobile handsets to ensure that its fraud reporting app, Sanchar Saathi, is pre-installed on all new devices and installed via a software update on existing handsets.

According to the direction dated November 28, all mobile phones that will be manufactured in India or imported after 90 days from the date of issuing of the order would need to have the app.

All mobile phone companies are required to report compliance to the DoT within 120 days.

“If you want to delete it, then delete it. But not everyone in the country knows that this app exists to protect them from fraud and theft,” Scindia said.

Union minister for communications further noted that, “It is our responsibility to make this app reach everyone. If you want to delete it, then delete it. If you don’t want to use it, then don’t register it. If you register it, then it will remain active. If you don’t register it, then it will remain inactive.”

Apple to resist order to preload app

Scindia’s statement comes amid reports that Apple does not plan to comply with the mandate to preload its smartphones with the app. Apple would convey its concerns to New Delhi, three sources familiar with the matter said, after the government's move sparked surveillance concerns.

Apple does not plan to comply with the directive and will tell the government it does not follow such mandates anywhere in the world as they raise a host of privacy and security issues for the company's iOS ecosystem, said two of the industry sources who are familiar with Apple's concerns. They declined to be named publicly as the company's strategy is private.

"It’s not only like taking a sledgehammer, this is like a double-barrel gun," said the first source.

Other companies review govt order

While Apple tightly controls its App Store and proprietary iOS software — which are crucial to its $100-billion-per-year services business — Google's Android is open-sourced, allowing manufacturers like Samsung and Xiaomi greater leeway to modify their software.

The second source said Apple does not plan to go to court or take a public stand, but it would tell the government it cannot follow the order because of security vulnerabilities.

Apple "can't do this. Period," the person said.

The app order comes as Apple is locked in a court fight with an Indian watchdog over the nation's antitrust penalty law.

Apple has said it risks facing a fine of up to $38 billion in a case.

Other brands including Samsung are reviewing the order, said a fourth industry source who is familiar with the matter.

Sources have said the government moved forward with the order without industry consultation.

With inputs from Reuters.