Apple is preparing to push back against a new directive issued by the Indian government that would require every iPhone sold in the country to come with a government-controlled security app already installed. Reuters first reported that India’s Department of Telecommunications has ordered all smartphone manufacturers to preload Sanchar Saathi, an app developed and operated by the government. The app is designed to help users block lost or stolen phones, identify fraudulent calls, and verify the status of second-hand devices.
However, Sanchar Saathi includes extensive tracking features that fall under government oversight, raising immediate concerns about user privacy and the possibility of surveillance. For Apple, which has built its brand around stringent privacy protections, the mandate directly conflicts with long-standing company policies.
According to The Business Standard, Apple has told Indian officials that it does not intend to comply with the requirement. Industry sources said Apple’s position is straightforward: the company does not allow any government—anywhere in the world—to dictate preinstalled, non-removable apps on its devices. Apple argues that doing so compromises both the security architecture of iOS and the privacy expectations of its global user base.
Apple’s stance adds pressure on the Indian government, which is already facing criticism from opposition parties accusing it of attempting to expand surveillance powers under the guise of digital safety.
In response to backlash, India’s telecom minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia addressed the issue publicly on Tuesday. He claimed Sanchar Saathi is “completely optional” and stressed that users can activate or delete it whenever they choose. Scindia dismissed allegations of spying, stating the app does not contain any tools for monitoring calls or invading users’ personal communication.
With India home to more than 700 million smartphone users, the outcome of this standoff could influence how much authority the government can assert over device software in the world’s second-largest mobile market. At the same time, it will test how far global tech companies like Apple are willing to go to preserve their privacy frameworks in countries enforcing increasingly strict digital regulations.
The dispute highlights a broader debate about security, user autonomy, and governmental reach—one that is becoming more significant as digital ecosystems expand and governments push for greater oversight of consumer technology.
