Update December 3 2025, 10:43am ET: India has withdrawn its mandate requesting manufacturers to install the Sanchar Saathi app, according to reporting from Reuters. The text below has been left ...

The Indian government issued a mandate that intends to force smartphone companies like Apple and Samsung to preinstall a state-run security app called ‘Sanchar Saathi’ on phones sold in the region.

India has scrapped an order making it mandatory for smartphone makers to preload a state-run cyber safety app on new phones after a public furore. The order gave smartphone makers 90 days to pre-load ...

Apple is reportedly refusing to comply with an Indian government order directing all smartphone manufacturers and importers to preload a government-run cyber safety app that cannot be disabled on ...

The Indian government’s decision to mandate the Sanchar Saathi application on every smartphone sold or activated in the country marks a significant and worrisome shift in how the state positions ...

The Indian government is requiring smartphone manufacturers to pre-install a state-run cybersecurity app on their phones, but Apple has reportedly not intended to ...

India gave major manufacturers, including Apple and Samsung, 90 days to preload the "Sanchar Saathi" app on new phones. The opposition called it "beyond unconstitutional." The Indian government has ...

Apple reportedly won’t comply with a government order in India to preload iPhones with a state-run app that can track and block lost or stolen phones via a device’s International Mobile Equipment ...

Apple is reportedly refusing to comply with a new Indian government directive requiring all smartphone makers to preinstall a state-run cyber safety app - Sanchar ...

Critics voice concern as government says its Sanchar Saathi app combats cybersecurity threats for 1.2bn telecom users India’s telecoms ministry has privately asked smartphone makers to preload all new ...