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India Mandates Unremovable Security App on Phones
2 Dec
Summary
- Indian regulators demand manufacturers preload a deletion-proof security app.
- The 'Sanchar Saathi' app helps block fraudulent connections and lost phones.
- Companies have 90 days to comply with the government's new directive.
Telecom regulators in India have issued a directive requiring smartphone manufacturers to preload a government-owned cybersecurity application, known as Sanchar Saathi, onto all new devices. This mandate also necessitates pushing the app to existing devices through software updates. Companies, including major players like Apple and Samsung, have been granted a 90-day period to comply with this order.
The Sanchar Saathi application is primarily focused on fraud prevention, offering features to report and lock lost or stolen devices. Since its introduction, the app has reportedly achieved 5 million downloads and played a crucial role in blocking approximately 3.7 million lost or stolen phones, alongside terminating over 30 million fraudulent connections.
This move is positioned as a significant consumer protection measure by the Telecom Minister. While the exact response from manufacturers is yet to be seen, the directive signals a proactive stance by the Indian government in leveraging technology to enhance mobile security and combat criminal activity within its borders.
