Outcry Grows Over India's Mandatory State Cyber-security App on Smartphones

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's confidential order mandating the pre-installation of a state-run cyber-security app, 'Sanchar Saathi' (Communication Partner), on all new smartphones within 90 days has ignited a major political and public controversy in India.

The main opposition party, Congress, escalated the issue in Parliament, with senior leader Randeep Singh Surjewala demanding a debate on the "privacy and security risks." Surjewala highlighted the "grave, serious and real apprehension" that the non-removable, mandatory app could contain a "backdoor," fundamentally compromising user data and privacy. He questioned the legal authority for the mandate and called for disclosure of independent cybersecurity audits and safeguards.

Major newspapers like The Indian Express and The Times of India have run strong editorials, with the latter demanding the government "withdraw the order," warning that one mandatory intrusion could lead to others. Industry sources indicate that phone manufacturers, notably Apple, do not plan to comply. Apple is expected to convey its concerns to New Delhi, citing that such mandates raise security and privacy issues within the iOS ecosystem and are not followed anywhere else globally.

The Telecom Ministry has defended the move, stating the app is a measure to combat the "serious endangerment" of cyber security. The government claims the app's function is limited to tracking and blocking stolen phones and preventing their misuse.

The directive was sent confidentially to companies like Apple, Samsung, and Xiaomi. It also mandates that the app must be pushed to existing users via software updates and that manufacturers ensure the app cannot be disabled.

The move is noted as having little precedent globally, with Russia cited as the only other known example for ordering the pre-installation of a state-backed messenger app, MAX, which critics also fear could be used for tracking.

The controversy has become a top story on Indian prime-time news. Despite the significant public and political outcry, downloads for the app have reportedly jumped by 13% on Monday to 78,000, according to data from market intelligence firm Sensor Tower. This marks the second time the Modi government has faced major criticism over mandatory apps and privacy, following a similar row over the COVID-19 contact-tracing app in 2020.