The Department of Telecom has directed manufacturers and importers of mobile handsets to ensure that its fraud reporting app, Sanchar Saathi, is pre-installed on all new devices and installed via a software update on existing handsets.
According to the direction dated November 28, all mobile phones that will be manufactured in India or imported after 90 days from the date of issuing of the order would need to have the app.
All mobile phone companies are required to report compliance to the DoT within 120 days.
“If you want to delete it, then delete it. But not everyone in the country knows that this app exists to protect them from fraud and theft,” Scindia said.
Union minister for communications further noted that, “It is our responsibility to make this app reach everyone. If you want to delete it, then delete it. If you don’t want to use it, then don’t register it. If you register it, then it will remain active. If you don’t register it, then it will remain inactive.”
Apple to resist order to preload app
Scindia’s statement comes amid reports that Apple does not plan to comply with the mandate to preload its smartphones with the app. Apple would convey its concerns to New Delhi, three sources familiar with the matter said, after the government’s move sparked surveillance concerns.
Apple does not plan to comply with the directive and will tell the government it does not follow such mandates anywhere in the world as they raise a host of privacy and security issues for the company’s iOS ecosystem, said two of the industry sources who are familiar with Apple’s concerns. They declined to be named publicly as the company’s strategy is private.
