India’s telecoms ministry has issued a private directive instructing major smartphone manufacturers to preload all new devices with a state-owned cyber safety application that cannot be deleted, according to press agency Reuters. The order, dated November 28 and seen by Reuters, applies to companies including Apple, Samsung, Vivo, Oppo and Xiaomi. It gives handset makers 90 days to ensure compliance and requires them to push the app to devices already in the supply chain through software updates.
Impact on used devices
A key question for the secondary market is whether the requirement will extend to used and refurbished smartphones. The order, as reported, focuses on new phones entering the market, but manufacturers have also been instructed to update devices already in circulation. This leaves open the possibility that refurbished units running approved software versions could eventually receive the app through mandatory updates. Industry sources expect further clarification, as India’s refurbished smartphone sector continues to expand and handles millions of devices each year, including premium models such as the Apple iPhone.
Government rationale
Authorities say the mandatory app, Sanchar Saathi, is necessary to curb cybercrime, prevent fraudulent use of duplicate IMEI numbers, and support police in tracing stolen devices. India, with more than 1.2 billion telecom subscribers, has seen rising concerns about mobile fraud. Government data indicates the app has helped recover more than 700,000 lost phones since its January launch, including 50,000 in October alone. It has also aided in terminating more than 30 million fraudulent connections.
Industry concerns
Manufacturers and privacy advocates have voiced unease over the lack of public consultation and the implications of removing user choice. Technology lawyer Mishi Choudhary noted that the order substantially limits user consent. Comparisons have emerged with Russia’s recent requirement for preloading its state-backed MAX messenger app, which drew criticism from privacy groups.
Apple’s likely response
Apple faces a particular challenge. Its internal policies prohibit the installation of government or third-party applications on devices before sale. Analysts note that Apple has historically resisted such requests. Counterpoint Research director Tarun Pathak said the company may seek a compromise, potentially proposing a user prompt instead of a mandatory pre-install. Apple’s iOS powers an estimated 4.5% of India’s 735 million smartphones as of mid-2025, with the remainder using Android. Neither Apple nor other major manufacturers responded to requests for comment.
Wider market implications
The mandate arrives at a time when India plays an increasingly significant role in global smartphone manufacturing and resale. For refurbished and used device sellers, the potential requirement to include the app could influence testing procedures and software compliance checks. It may also affect customer perception, particularly in a market where privacy and data security form part of purchasing considerations. Analysts note that future regulatory updates may define whether secondary market players must integrate the app into their processing workflows.
Evolving cyber security strategy
The app’s centralised system enables users to block stolen or lost smartphones across networks and helps authorities keep counterfeits out of the market. The government argues that mandatory adoption strengthens national cyber security by reducing misuse of fraudulent IMEI numbers. As India aligns its policies with other jurisdictions introducing similar measures, the secondary smartphone ecosystem will likely monitor how enforcement shapes both resale operations and consumer behaviour.
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