Apple (AAPL) plans to oppose a directive to preload the state-run Sanchar Saathi app due to security issues and will raise these concerns with the Indian government, Reuters reported Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter.
The order reportedly instructs Apple, Samsung, and Xiaomi to ship devices with the app within 90 days, bar users from disabling it, and push it via software updates for phones already in use.
India's telecom ministry later described the measure as a security step to tackle stolen phones and spoofing, but opposition groups and privacy advocates criticized the plan as enabling government access to the nation's 730 million smartphones, the report said.
Apple will tell officials it doesn't accept such preload mandates globally due to privacy and security concerns and does not plan court action, Reuters quoted a source as saying.
Apple, India's telecom ministry, Samsung, and Xiaomi did not immediately respond to MT Newswires' request for comment.
(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)