Sanchar Saathi App Sparks Privacy Debate: Apple has refused the Indian Government’s order to compulsorily preload the Sanchar Saathi app in smartphones. The iPhone maker says that the company will not follow this instruction and will formally convey its objections to the Central Government. Let us tell you that recently the government has ordered all the smartphone companies to preload Sanchar Saathi app in their phones within 90 days and not to allow its features to be disabled. The government has called it a security measure to prevent cyber fraud and stolen phones, while the opposition and privacy experts are considering it a threat of surveillance.
Apple expressed objection to the government order
According to Reuters report, the government has given a secret order to companies like Apple, Samsung and Xiaomi to preload the Sanchar Saathi app on their phones within 90 days and not allow its features to be disabled.
Apple has objected to this order and said that it does not preload such mandatory apps in any country in the world. The company claims that this will affect the privacy and security infrastructure of iOS.
Smartphone companies vs government
Apple does not allow forced addition of external apps on iOS, so the company is considering this order against its system. Android, on the other hand, is an open-source system, allowing brands like Samsung and Xiaomi to add such apps at the system level.
According to Reuters reports, these companies are reviewing the government order and making further strategies. The government argues that mandatory preload of Sanchar Saathi app is necessary to prevent increasing cyber fraud, stolen phones and IMEI spoofing.
Leave a Reply