Apple plans to raise privacy and security concerns with the Indian government after a new order requiring phones to preload a state-run cyber safety app. The company does not intend to comply, citing risks to user trust. Analysts see the standoff as a key test of Apple’s privacy-first stance.
Apple Inc. is preparing to formally convey its privacy and security concerns to the Indian government following a new directive requiring smartphone makers to preload a state-run cyber safety app. The move highlights tensions between regulatory compliance and Apple’s long-standing focus on user privacy.
Key highlights of the update:
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Apple reportedly does not plan to follow the government’s order to preload the cyber safety app, citing risks to user privacy and device security.
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The company is expected to engage with Indian authorities soon, presenting its case for maintaining strict privacy standards.
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Analysts note that Apple’s stance reflects its global policy of resisting pre-installed government apps, which could compromise user trust.
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India, one of Apple’s fastest-growing markets, is seen as strategically critical, making this regulatory standoff particularly significant.
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Market watchers believe the outcome could set a precedent for how tech firms balance compliance with privacy commitments in emerging markets.
This real-time development underscores Apple’s determination to prioritize user privacy, even as it navigates regulatory challenges in one of the world’s largest smartphone markets.
Sources: Reuters (Exclusive), Economic Times, Business Standard