Apple is reportedly resisting an order from the Indian government requiring smartphone makers to preload a state-run app on all new devices, a mandate that has triggered widespread backlash over privacy and digital freedom concerns. The proposed rule would force Apple and other manufacturers to include the app before sale, raising fears among users and rights groups about potential surveillance and data misuse.
Apple, known for its strict privacy stance, has pushed back, arguing that mandatory preinstallation violates its policies and undermines user choice. As debate intensifies, industry observers warn the move could strain relations between Apple and one of its fastest-growing markets while setting a precedent for government-mandated software across India’s tech ecosystem.