As political outrage grows, Apple will oppose India's order to preload a state-run app.

According to reports, Apple will voice its concerns to New Delhi and does not intend to comply with a mandate to preload its handsets with a state-owned cyber safety program.

December 2, New Delhi (Reuters) — Apple does not plan to comply with an order to preload its iPhones with a state-owned cyber safety program and would voice its concerns to New Delhi, three persons familiar with the situation said, after the government's proposal stoked surveillance worries.

The Indian government has privately ordered businesses including Apple, Samsung and Xiaomi to preload their phones with a software called Sanchar Saathi, or Communication Partner, within 90 days. The program is intended to track stolen phones, block them and prevent them from being misused.

Additionally, the government wants manufacturers to make sure the app isn't disabled. And for devices currently in the supply chain, makers should deliver the app to phones via software upgrades, Reuters was first to report on Monday.

India's telecom ministry acknowledged the action later, citing it as a security precaution to address "serious endangerment" of cyber security. However, privacy groups and political rivals of Prime Minister Narendra Modi denounced the action, claiming it gives the government access to India's 730 million handsets.

Apple does not plan to comply with the demand and will inform the government it does not follow similar mandates anywhere in the globe since they present a series of privacy and security risks for the company's iOS ecosystem, said two of the industry people who are familiar with Apple's worries. Since the company's approach is confidential, they declined to be identified publicly.

According to the first source, "this is like a double-barrel gun, not just like taking a sledgehammer."

Requests for comment were not answered by Apple or the telecom ministry.

India is joining authorities around the world, most notably in Russia, to create regulations prohibiting the use of stolen phones for fraud or encouraging state-backed government service apps.

"BIG BROTHER CANNOT WATCH US"
On Tuesday, the directive created a commotion both within and outside of Parliament as several legislators accused the government of releasing an app that would serve as a monitoring tool. Rahul Gandhi of India's main opposition Congress Party said he wanted to speak about the app in Parliament.

The Congress Party has called for a revocation of the mandate. On X, KC Venugopal, a key Congress politician, declared "Big Brother cannot watch us."

According to a news release from the Modi government, the software can assist in addressing instances of fake or duplicate IMEI numbers, which facilitate fraud and network abuse.

The telecom ministry stated late on Monday that "India has a big second-hand mobile device market." “Cases have also been observed where stolen or blacklisted devices are being re-sold.”

OTHER COMPANIES REVIEW INDIAN GOVT ORDER
While Google's Android is open-sourced, giving manufacturers like Samsung and Xiaomi more freedom to alter their software, Apple maintains strict control over its App Store and proprietary iOS software, which are essential to its $100 billion annual services industry.

According to the second source, Apple will inform the government that it is unable to comply with the request due to security flaws, but it has no intention of going to court or making a public statement.

Apple "can't do this. Period," the individual said.

The app order comes as Apple is involved in a court struggle with an Indian watchdog over the nation's antitrust punishment statute. Apple has stated it risks facing a fine of up to $38 billion in a dispute.

According to a fourth industry source with knowledge of the situation, other companies, including Samsung, are examining the order. Samsung did not respond to Reuters queries.

Sources have indicated the administration pressed forward with the decision without industry consultation.