Outcry over state phone app

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s plan to preload a state-run cybersecurity app on smartphones ran into more political heat yesterday, with the main opposition party saying users’ privacy could be violated and questioning the legal authority for the order.

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This photo shows the icon of the cyber safety app Sanchar Saathi.

(AFP)

Amid a growing public outcry over the potential for surveillance, newspaper editorials joined privacy advocates in denouncing the move. The government is also likely to find itself at odds with phone manufacturers. Apple does not plan to comply with the directive, sources have said.

The Indian government has confidentially ordered companies including Apple, Samsung and Xiaomito preload new phones with an app called Sanchar Saathi, or Communication Partner, within 90 days.

The government says the app only helps track and block stolen phones and prevents them from being misused.