"three days after it was privately sent to manufacturers gives the companies 90 days to ensure that the app, Sanchar Saathi or communication companion, is pre-installed on new mobile phones, with a requirement that users cannot disable it. The directive of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) also requires phone companies to push a software update for installing the app on devices already in circulation, the reports said."
"The government says the app is essential to combat serious endangerment of cybersecurity from duplicate or spoofed International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers the code assigned to each device that is used to cut off network access for phones that are reported stolen. According to government figures, users have downloaded the app more than five million times since its launch, helping to block more than 3.7 million stolen or lost mobile phones and blocking more than 30 million fraudulent connections, Reuters reported."
A November 28 DoT order requires smartphone manufacturers to pre-install the state-owned Sanchar Saathi app on new mobile phones within 90 days and prevent users from disabling it. The DoT also requires phone companies to push a software update to install the app on devices already in circulation. The app aims to combat IMEI duplication and spoofing, which can enable stolen phones and fraudulent connections. Since its January release, the app has been downloaded more than five million times, helping block millions of stolen or fraudulent connections and aiding recovery of many lost phones. The mandate may face resistance from Apple and privacy advocates.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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