India Presses Apple to Pre-install Government Apps on iPhones: A Clash of Control
India pressures Apple to pre-install government apps, raising privacy concerns.
Matilda
India Presses Apple to Pre-install Government Apps on iPhones: A Clash of Control
The Indian government is exerting pressure on Apple and other smartphone manufacturers to pre-install government-developed apps on devices sold within the country. This move echoes a similar demand from Russia in 2021, which Apple ultimately acceded to. While India seeks to expand access to its digital services, this push for control over pre-installed software raises concerns about user privacy and platform autonomy. The Indian Government's Demands: Mandatory App Installation: The Indian government proposes requiring manufacturers to include the GOV.in app store and related government apps on all smartphones sold within the country. Third-Party App Downloads: The government also seeks to allow its apps to be downloaded outside the official app stores (like Apple's App Store and Google Play Store) from third-party sources without triggering "untrusted source" warnings. This could potentially compromise device security and expose users to malware. Apple's and Google&#…
