India orders phone makers to preload devices with state-owned cyber safety app

• India's telecom ministry has mandated that smartphone manufacturers preload all new devices with a state-owned cybersecurity app, Sanchar Saathi, which cannot be deleted. This initiative aims to combat a rise in cybercrime and enhance the security of 1.2 billion telecom users in the country.
• The requirement to install the Sanchar Saathi app is likely to create friction with major tech companies like Apple, which may view this as an infringement on user privacy and choice. Critics argue that such mandates could undermine consumer trust and lead to broader implications for digital rights.
• This move aligns India with global trends where governments are increasingly taking control over technology and cybersecurity measures, similar to recent actions in Russia aimed at promoting domestic applications. The push for state-backed apps raises ongoing debates about privacy, security, and the balance of power between governments and tech companies.

— via World Pulse Now AI Editorial System