In a significant development, Apple Inc. has decided to push back against a confidential order from the Indian government mandating the preloading of a state-run cyber safety application on all smartphones sold in the country. The move comes amid a growing political storm and widespread concerns over potential state surveillance.
The Controversial Government Directive
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT), under the Ministry of Communications, issued a directive on November 28, 2025, requiring smartphone manufacturers, including Apple, Samsung, and Xiaomi, to pre-install an application named Sanchar Saathi (Communication Partner). Companies were given a 90-day window to comply. The order also stipulated that the app must not be disabled and should be pushed via software updates to devices already in the supply chain.
According to the government, the app is designed as a security tool to track stolen phones, block them, and prevent their misuse in a large second-hand mobile market. The telecom ministry stated the measure was necessary to combat the "serious endangerment" of cybersecurity, particularly incidents involving duplicated or spoofed IMEI numbers used in scams.
Apple's Firm Stance and Privacy Concerns
However, Apple does not plan to comply with this mandate. According to three industry sources familiar with the matter, the tech giant will convey its serious reservations to the Indian government. Two sources indicated that Apple's core argument is that it does not follow such preload mandates anywhere in the world, as they introduce significant privacy and security vulnerabilities into its tightly controlled iOS ecosystem.
"It's not only like taking a sledgehammer; this is like a double-barrel gun," one source told Reuters, emphasizing the severity of the issue for Apple. The company is expected to engage in private discussions with authorities, clarifying that it "can't do this. Period," rather than taking immediate public legal action.
Political Uproar and Surveillance Allegations
The government's order triggered immediate backlash. On Tuesday, December 2, 2025, the issue caused a furore both inside and outside Parliament. Several lawmakers from the opposition accused the government of introducing a snooping tool that could grant it access to India's estimated 730 million smartphones.
Rahul Gandhi of the main opposition Congress Party announced he would raise the issue in Parliament. Senior Congress leader KC Venugopal took to social media platform X, stating, "Big Brother cannot watch us," and called for a complete rollback of the mandate. In response, Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia sought to downplay concerns, describing the app as a "voluntary and democratic system" that users could activate or delete at any time. He did not, however, address the binding nature of the confidential directive.
While the currently available version of the Sanchar Saathi app is deletable, the government's order explicitly requires manufacturers to ensure its functionalities are not disabled or restricted once preloaded.
Broader Industry Impact and Legal Context
The situation places other smartphone makers in a difficult position. While Apple maintains strict control over its App Store and iOS software, Google's Android operating system is open-source, allowing manufacturers like Samsung and Xiaomi more flexibility to modify software. A fourth industry source revealed that Samsung is currently reviewing the order, though the company has not issued an official statement.
This controversy unfolds as Apple is already entangled in a separate legal battle with the Competition Commission of India (CCI) over antitrust regulations, where it faces a potential fine of up to $38 billion. The industry sources also noted that the government proceeded with the preload order without prior consultation with device manufacturers.
India's attempt to mandate such an app aligns with global efforts by authorities, including recent moves in Russia, to regulate stolen devices and promote state-backed digital services. However, the clash highlights the ongoing tension between national security objectives, corporate privacy policies, and individual digital rights in one of the world's largest smartphone markets.
