8legs: Department of telecommunications

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India is ordering Apple and other phone makers to preinstall a state-owned app

India mandates preinstallation of the Sanchar Saathi app on new phones and updates within 90 days.
Manufacturers named include Apple, Samsung, Vivo, Oppo and Xiaomi.
Sanchar Saathi can block, track phones by IMEI and report fraud messages.
The app is already available on the App Store and Google Play but would become mandatory.
The order targets the Indian mobile market as part of telecom regulatory moves.
Background context notes Russia implemented a similar preinstall rule in the past.
India’s move follows broader push to expand local manufacturing and direct device sales.
The Sanchar Saathi app is publicly available but would be mandatory under the new rule.
Impact on Apple and Google’s market strategy in India is noted but not detailed.
Reuters is cited as the source for the 90-day compliance timeline and manufacturer list.

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