India mandates pre-installation of government cyber safety app on all smartphones

5 articles, oldest first.

1. KOB 4

   India mandates pre-installation of government cyber safety app on all smartphones ↗ (opens KOB 4)

   Published Dec 1, 2025

   Same headline from 1 more outlet

   KOB 4's feed description

   India’s telecoms ministry has ordered smartphone manufacturers to install a government-run cybersecurity app on all new devices. The order, issued Monday, requires the “Sanchar Saathi” app to be preinstalled within 90 days and prevents users from deleting it.

2. Deutsche Welle

   India: Govt order for pre-installed state app faces backlash – DW ↗ (opens Deutsche Welle)

   Published Dec 1, 2025

   Deutsche Welle's feed description

   India gave major manufacturers, including Apple and Samsung, 90 days to preload the "Sanchar Saathi" app on new phones. The opposition called it "beyond unconstitutional."

3. Forbes

   India Orders All Smartphone Makers To Preload State-Run App—Apple Pushes Back ↗ (opens Forbes)

   Published Dec 1, 2025

   Forbes's feed description

   Phonemakers have been ordered to pre-install the Indian government’s “Sanchar Saathi” cyber safety app on all new devices and ensure it cannot be “disabled or restricted.”

4. The Guardian

   Indian order to preload state-owned app on smartphones causes political outcry ↗ (opens The Guardian)

   Published Dec 1, 2025

   The Guardian's feed description

   Apple among big tech companies reportedly refusing to install Sanchar Saathi cybersecurity app on their devices

Identical headlines usually mean shared wire copy. They are counted as separate articles but are not independent confirmation.