The Indian government is reportedly in talks with smartphone makers like Apple, Google and other OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) to pre-install a suite of state-backed applications on their devices. This move aims to enhance the delivery of public welfare services through technology and potentially improve cybercrime statistics in the country.
According to the Bloomberg report, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has asked Google, Apple and other original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to discuss the launch of a government-backed app store. The ministry contacted smartphone companies last month to propose a suite of government applications. As per the report, officials asked Apple and Google executives to give Indian users direct access to a variety of government apps.
With the use of technology, this initiative aims to expand the reach of public welfare services. The government wants the state-supported app suite pre-installed on devices that hit the market, and available from third parties without causing warnings, according to the reports. Tech companies have reportedly been asked by officials to add the state-backed GOV.in app store as a part of their marketplace, like the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store.
The report suggests that both Google and Apple are unlikely to comply with the government's requests. Android, Google's operating system used in over 90% of India's roughly 700 million smartphones, reportedly baulked at the initiative. According to the report, Apple is unlikely to agree too.
Government officials in the meeting reportedly weighed whether the policy mandate or legal action could be taken to force Apple and Google to comply. However, the government's apps are being made available separately on Apple and Google’s digital stores in India right now.
This is not a completely novel idea. In 2021, Apple reportedly caved to Russia in offering an option for users to install government-suggested apps. Likewise, India wants to develop a separate app suite for its citizens. Moreover, India has a history of implementing stringent regulations for global tech companies.
For example, India banned the viral video app TikTok in 2020 and demanded legal access to encrypted WhatsApp messages from Meta under certain conditions, a move that the US social media giant challenged in court.
As smartphone usage and vulnerabilities rise, app security has become more important than ever. So, compliance from Apple and Google to state-owned apps could go a long way in reducing cybercrime statistics in the country.
Apple and Google, which typically retain 30% of app revenue, actively manage developers' contributions to their platforms, ensuring reduced exposure to viruses, cyber threats, and faulty software. These companies maintain tight control over their app stores, a key factor enabling them to wield significant influence over smartphones worldwide.
Growing security and data privacy woes are worrying the Indian government, leading it to push for a state-sponsored app store. With this step, the government believes it can help with greater control over the applications distribution, and, as a result, improve the security level. However, Google and Apple are likely to push back, arguing that such a move would smack off app store dominance and overstep user privacy.