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In a significant decision, India's telecommunications department has discreetly asked mobile phone manufacturers to include all new handsets with a national cybersecurity tool that is non-removable. This order, which was revealed, is likely to antagonise major tech companies like Apple and prompt questions among digital rights groups.

A Worldwide Trend in Cybersecurity Regulation

Addressing a recent surge of online fraud and phone theft, The Indian authorities is following authorities worldwide. This action mirrors recent regulations introduced in nations like Russia, which seek to block the use of lost phones for scams and promote state-backed tools.

Which Manufacturers Are Affected by the Order?

The latest mandate applies to major smartphone makers active in the Indian market. Among them are Apple, which has in the past locked horns with regulators over similar applications, as well as leaders like Samsung, Vivo, Oppo, and Xiaomi.

Specifics of the Official Order

An order dated 28 November gives phone manufacturers a 90-day window to ensure that the official "Messenger Friend" application is included on all new handsets. A notable stipulation is that consumers cannot disable the software.

For phones already in the distribution network, makers are directed to push the application via software patches. It is worth mentioning that this order was not made public and was communicated privately to chosen manufacturers.

Digital Rights Concerns Voiced

However, legal experts have raised serious worries regarding this move. A lawyer specialising in technology issues said that India's directive is a worrying development.

“The government effectively eliminates user consent as a real choice,” stated Mishi Choudhary, an advocate working on digital advocacy matters.

Digital rights groups had also questioned a comparable requirement by Russia in August for a state-backed messenger called Max to be included on phones.

The Scope of the Indian Market

India, one of the world's biggest telephone markets, boasts more than 1.2 billion mobile users. Government statistics indicate that the Sanchar Saathi app, introduced in January, has reportedly helped recovering more than 700,000 lost phones, with around 50,000 recovered in October alone.

The authorities states that the software is vital to combat the “serious endangerment” of mobile network cybersecurity from cloned or tampered IMEI numbers, which are used for illicit activities and system abuse.

Apple's Likely Response

Apple's iOS powers an estimated 4.5% of the 735 million smartphones in India, with the rest using Android, according to market research. While Apple pre-installs its own first-party apps on its devices, its internal rules are said to prohibit the inclusion of any third-party application before the purchase of a smartphone.

“Apple has historically refused these kinds of mandates from authorities,” said Tarun Pathak, a analyst at Counterpoint.

“It’s probable to seek a middle ground: rather than a compulsory inclusion, they might negotiate and propose an alternative to nudge users towards downloading the app.”

Requests for response from Apple, Google, Samsung, and Xiaomi were unresponded. India’s telecoms ministry also offered no comment.

Understanding the IMEI and the App's Purpose

The IMEI, or International Mobile Equipment Identity, is a 14- to 17-digit number assigned to each mobile device. It is primarily used by carriers to cut off network access for phones flagged as stolen.

The government application is mainly intended to help users track and locate missing phones across all telecom networks, using a central registry. It also enables them to identify, and terminate, fraudulent mobile connections.

Impressive Adoption and Results

With more than 5 million downloads since its inception, the app has reportedly helped block over 3.7 million missing mobile phones. Moreover, more than 30 million illegal connections have also been disconnected through its use.

The government claims that the tool helps preventing digital threats and assists in the locating and disabling of lost or stolen phones, thereby helping police in tracing handsets and preventing counterfeits out of the illicit trade.