India’s Push for Phone-Location Surveillance Sparks Apple, Google, and Samsung Backlash
Under India’s Telecommunications Act of 2023 and the Telecom Cyber Security Rules of 2024, every smartphone’s unique IMEI must be registered with the government, allowing authorities to track stolen devices via the Central Equipment Identity Register. This policy even reaches the resale market, requiring sellers to verify phones before transactions with a government fee attached, aiming to curb circulation of blacklisted devices. Meanwhile, the government dropped a plan to force-install its Sanchar Saathi app, which could locate and block lost phones, after widespread criticism citing privacy concerns. Apple, Google, and Samsung's objections underscore the delicate balancing act between enhanced fraud prevention and the risk of expansive state surveillance in the world's second-largest smartphone market.
