Apple Samsung and Other Firms Reportedly Push Back on Preinstallation of Aadhaar App on Phones

In a full form of its new Aadhaar app, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) launched it earlier this year. However, a private request by India’s telecom ministry to smartphone companies was also made about the same time that Aadhaar biometric identification app would be installed on all new devices. A new report says this proposal has been opposed by the Manufacturers’ Association for Information Technology (MAIT) at a time since now. The move has been reportedly raised by companies such as Apple and Samsung, which said security and safety concerns were the reason behind the move.

Smartphone Makers Say Preinstallation Would Increase Production Costs

The MAIT’s internal email on January 13 reported that the UIDAI had approached India earlier in January to engage Google, Apple and other leading smartphone makers for preparing preinstalling the latest version of the Aadhaar app on their smartphones. It is said this was a “outright decision” to move, but the move caused industry pushback.

In the Reuters report, which is citing MAIT documents, companies have expressed their belief that such preinstallation requirements would increase production costs and risks associated with making it more efficient for users to use. The report noted that Apple and Samsung raised questions about safety and security, citing industry sources. A February email from MAIT to its members in January stated that preinstalling the app would allow “readily access” of essential Aadhaar functions without downloading separates and “enhance its reach and accessibility”.

Members of MAIT reportedly disagreed with the plan to preload Aadhaar app on handsets, saying that mandatory preinstallation “would not be more public good” and would force manufacturers to maintain separate production lines for India and exports. The industry body further noted that such requirements are rare in the world, with Russia one of the few countries which required preinstalled government apps.

Nevertheless, it is said that the question of whether the proposal was still considered or has been dropped. MAIT, in a statement to Reuters, said its internal communications are “secret”. A statement on the Aadhaar app preinstall proposal is said to be one of six projects MAIT has formally opposed.

A full-time app, which was launched in January as the Aadhaar app is allowing users to check for credentials and verify with Ana Adhaara. The app also allows users to update personal information, manage family profiles and lock their biometric data for security purposes as it is available on Android and iOS. 13 Indian languages are available to use this app in . But critics argued that the proposal represents “a growing government control over smartphone use” (e.g.