India has directed smartphone manufacturers to pre-install a government-run cybersecurity app that cannot be removed, sparking surveillance concerns and a political uproar in one of the world's largest handset markets.
The Ministry of Communications' order, issued Monday, asked smartphone makers, including Apple, Samsung and Xiaomi, to preload their phones with the government's "Sanchar Saathi" app on all new devices within 90 days and to prevent users from deleting it.
The order also requires manufacturers to push the app onto older models through a software update, extending the mandate beyond phones available in the market.
The ministry said the app, which is available to India's 1.2 billion smartphone users, was essential in "curbing misuse of telecom resources for cyber frauds and ensuring telecom cy
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