The Indian government had instructed all phone companies that all new smartphones launched in the next 90 days must have the Sanchar Saathi app pre-installed. Orders were also given to add it to older smartphones through a software update. Major companies like Apple, Samsung, and Xiaomi were required to submit a compliance report within 120 days. As soon as this directive came to light, a major debate erupted on social media regarding privacy and government surveillance. However, amidst the growing controversy, the central government has now decided to remove the mandatory pre-installation of the app.
The government claims that this step is necessary to track stolen phones, prevent the sale of fake IMEI numbers, and monitor the misuse of telecom resources. But questions are being raised. Is a model where an app cannot be uninstalled or disabled common in democratic countries? The answer is no. Let's see how the world deals with cybercrime.
1. United States
The US does not mandate the pre-installation of any government app. Two main approaches are adopted here for cybersecurity. The STIR/SHAKEN protocol is mandatory for all telecom operators, which prevents call spoofing. The US National Security Agency's (NSA) 24/7 operation center, CyWatch, monitors cybercrimes. CISA collaborates with private companies to share threat intelligence. Instead of imposing an app on users, the US relies on targeted surveillance and robust IT infrastructure.
2. United Kingdom (UK)
The UK does not mandate the pre-installation of any government app. Here, the Online Safety Act 2023 places responsibility on tech companies. Platforms like Facebook and Google have a legal responsibility to prevent fraudulent content and scams. Monitoring user-generated content is also the responsibility of these platforms. In this model, the government does not directly interfere with phones or apps.
3. European Union (EU)
The European Union is considered one of the strictest in data protection and cybersecurity. However, the EU does not mandate the pre-installation of any government app. Under the Cyber Resilience Act, every device must be secure out of the box before the user even uses it. Every device is required to have at least 5 years of security updates. Under the Digital Services Act, platforms like Google, Meta, and TikTok are responsible for removing scams. The EU has the EUDI Wallet app, but it is entirely voluntary. There is no mandatory pre-installation associated with it.
4. Singapore
Singapore has an app called ScamShield that filters calls and SMS messages based on a police database. However, the app is completely optional. It is not pre-installed on any phone.
5. South Korea
South Korea once mandated a government app called SmartSheriff, but it was only for minors. It was a type of parental control app. This app sent alerts on sensitive words. It was then removed in 2015 after serious security flaws were found in the app. Since then, no such step has been taken again in any democracy.
Some government apps are mandatory in Russia.
If a comparison is to be made with any country in the world, India's model resembles that of Russia. In Russia, 19 government apps are mandatorily pre-installed. These include apps for ID and government services. Recently, the Max Super app has also been made mandatory in the country, which is not commonly seen in democratic countries.
In most democratic countries, governments do not mandate the pre-installation of apps. They usually strengthen cybersecurity laws, increase the responsibility of social media platforms, and fortify IT infrastructure. India's model is unique in itself, as it is mandating an app that the user does not even have the option to uninstall.
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