Apple plans to oppose a recent government order. India wants apps pre-installed on phones. The Sanchar Saathi app must come installed. Apple cites privacy and security concerns. The company will convey this privately.
The Indian government issued a formal order. All smartphone makers must follow it. They must pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app. This applies to all new smartphones sold. Older phones need a software update.
Manufacturers have ninety days to comply. They must push updates for old devices. The government gave a clear deadline. Companies must submit a compliance report. This report is due within 120 days.
Apple will not comply with this directive. Apple protects the integrity of iOS and has never allowed third-party pre-installed software across its global markets. The iphone maker views this order as an impediment.
Apple places a higher priority on user privacy than anything else. The company maintains strict control of their iOS environment, so allowing third-party apps creates a greater risk of the compromise of the entire iOS system. Apple believes the order is unreasonable and will provide both of these arguments.
Apple does not plan to take any legal action on this issue, nor will it issue a public speaking out against it, but instead will be working with the appropriate parties behind the scenes to clearly communicate the security of iOS that is affected by the order and to reach an agreement.
Samsung is currently reviewing the contents of the order while other makers of Android devices are also assessing their positions regarding compliance to the order; however, at this time, their official positions are not yet known, but Apple anticipates that they may comply with the order depending upon the position taken by Apple, as they will clearly be surveilling how Apple responds.
There has been a public outcry about the order by members of the opposition parties, as well as privacy advocates. Both have denounced the order as a severe violation of citizen privacy rights, while the government views it as a suitable necessity.
Apple has yet to provide an official statement regarding the order and all of the information above has been derived from sources at Reuters. The government confirmed its original order. Samsung also remains officially silent. The situation is still developing.
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