India drops proposal to make smartphone brands pre-install unique ID app Aadhaar on their devices

India Scraps Aadhaar App Pre-Installation Mandate for Smartphones

A proposal by India's Unique Identification Authority (UIDAI) to require smartphone manufacturers to pre-install the Aadhaar app on all new devices has been officially dropped. This decision comes after significant concerns were voiced by the smartphone industry regarding security, privacy, and increased production costs.

The Aadhaar app is a critical digital wallet for Indian residents, storing sensitive personal information such as a 12-digit unique identification number, date of birth, residential address, and biometric data like fingerprints and iris scans. With over 1.44 billion Aadhaar numbers issued, the platform is fundamental to numerous services, including banking and telecommunications.

Following consultations with stakeholders in the electronics sector, India's Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has decided against mandating the pre-installation of the Aadhaar app. While the ministry did not elaborate on specific reasons, industry pushback centered on potential security vulnerabilities and the logistical and financial burdens associated with dual manufacturing lines for different markets.

This marks the sixth instance in two years where the Indian government has explored mandating the pre-installation of government-developed applications on mobile devices. Notably, a similar attempt last December to force pre-installation of the 'Sanchar Sathi' cyber safety app was quickly reversed after widespread criticism.

A senior government official, speaking anonymously to Reuters, indicated that pre-installation of apps will only be considered for those deemed "very essential," suggesting a more cautious approach moving forward. This latest development highlights the government's responsiveness to industry feedback and concerns about the practical implications of such mandates.

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