It is reported that India plans to introduce new security rules that would force smartphone manufacturers to allow the removal of pre-installed apps and mandate the screening of major operating system updates. In light of concerns about spying and abuse of user data, the rules are being considered. Samsung, Xiaomi, Vivo, and Apple could lose business from pre-installed apps as a result of the move in the world’s second-largest smartphone market.
A senior government official said that the government is considering new rules to ensure that pre-installed apps don’t present weak security points that foreign nations can exploit. Over 300 Chinese apps, including TikTok, have been banned since a 2020 border clash between the two nations.
Smartphone makers will be required to provide an uninstall option for pre-installed apps, and new models will be inspected by a lab authorized by the Bureau of Indian Standards. Also, the government is considering requiring the screening of major operating system updates before they are released.
China dominates India’s fast-growing smartphone market, with Xiaomi, Vivo, and Oppo accounting for almost half of all sales, Samsung 20%, and Apple 3%. In response to Reuters‘ inquiry, neither the companies nor the Indian IT ministry has responded.
Smartphone manufacturers, particularly those who sell devices with proprietary apps or install others with which they have monetization agreements, may find the new rules challenging. Several industry executives have expressed concern that more testing could delay smartphone approvals and hinder a company’s go-to-market strategy.
