India requires Apple and other phone makers to pre-install a state-owned app

India’s Telecom Ministry has given phone manufacturers 90 days to comply with an order to pre-install a state-owned app on new phones and push it to existing phones through software updates, according to reports. Reuters. The government order was sent specifically to phone manufacturers on November 28, according to the British Daily Mail Reutersincluding Apple, Samsung, Vivo, Oppo and Xiaomi.

In August, Russia He issued a similar order Requiring phone manufacturers to pre-load the state-backed messaging app, Max.

In this case, state-owned Sathi Communications The app is already available on the App Store and Google Play Store, but this will make it mandatory and prevent it from being disabled or deleted. The app includes features to block and track lost or stolen phones based on their IMEI number, and report suspected scams.

While iOS users still make up a small slice of the pie in India, Apple’s sales in the region are soaring Hit a record $9 billion in September Likewise, Google started Offering direct online sales for Pixel phones in India earlier this year, and both companies have increased local manufacturing of their mobile devices in recent years. Apple and Google did not immediately respond to a request for comment.