According to GSM Arena, the Indian government issued a directive on November 28 ordering smartphone manufacturers to preload a state-owned cyber safety app called Sanchar Saathi onto every new device sold. The app is designed to track and block stolen phones. Companies were reportedly given a 90-day window to comply with this mandate. However, Apple is set to refuse the order, according to a Reuters report citing two industry sources. The company will reportedly tell the government it doesn’t comply with such orders in any market, as they raise privacy and security issues for its iOS ecosystem. This comes despite India’s telecom minister calling the system “voluntary and democratic,” claiming users can deactivate or delete the app.
The classic Apple standoff
Here’s the thing: this is a classic Apple move. They’ve built their brand, and a big part of their premium pricing, on a tightly controlled ecosystem. Letting any government, even a massive market like India, dictate what software comes pre-installed is a line they rarely cross. It’s not just about this one app; it’s about the precedent. Once you say yes to one “security” app, where does it stop? Apple’s argument about “privacy and security issues” is their standard, principled shield. But let’s be real, it’s also a commercial one. Their walled garden is their business model.
“Voluntary” is a funny word
Now, the Indian government’s position is… interesting. The minister says it’s “voluntary and democratic” and you can just delete it. But the original directive orders manufacturers to “ensure its functionalities are not disabled or restricted.” So which is it? If the functionality can’t be disabled, how voluntary is deletion? It feels like they’re trying to have it both ways: a forceful mandate for companies, but a soft, optional pitch for consumers once the app is already on their device. That disconnect is probably a big part of why Apple is digging in its heels. It smells like overreach wrapped in a “for your own good” package.
The bigger picture for tech in India
This isn’t just an Apple story. It’s a signal to every hardware maker operating in India. The country is a crucial growth market, but its regulatory environment is becoming more assertive. For other manufacturers, especially those in the Android space who are more accustomed to carrier and regional bloatware, this might be a harder fight to pick. But Apple can afford to be the canary in the coal mine. Their refusal sets a benchmark. If they win, it protects a degree of autonomy for everyone. If they lose, it opens the door for more state-mandated software. The 90-day clock is ticking, and all eyes will be on this negotiation. Will India blink, or will Apple have to make a rare concession?
