Aadhaar App Preinstallation Sparks Pushback From Apple, Google And Other Major Smartphone Makers, Reports Suggest

Aadhaar app Updtae: A new full-fledged Aadhaar app was launched by the Unique Identification Authority of India earlier this year, and reportedly the telecom ministry had made private requests to smartphone makers to get the Aadhaar biometric app preinstalled in their latest devices. However, this private proposal instigated by the ministry has been facing opposition from the Manufacturer's Association for Information Technology (MAIT). Big tech giants and smartphone makers like Apple and Samsung have reportedly expressed anxieties regarding this move and have brought up issues such as security and privacy that might get impacted due to the move.

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Aadhaar App Preinstallation Could Increase Production Costs, Say Smartphone Makers

According to a Reuters report, shedding light on an internal email from MAIT carrying the date January 13 reveals that the IT ministry was approached by UIDAI to prompt major smartphone makers like Apple, Google, and others to get the latest version of the Aadhaar app preinstalled on their latest devices. Although this was not a strict measure and not an imposition of any sort, it did send a wave of anxiety through the industry. The report from Reuters also highlights that these companies have pushed back against the scheme, expressing that this preinstallation could result in a potential increase in production costs, and citing sources from the industry, the report added that other privacy and security risks were also highlighted by Apple and Google that could be detrimental to the user.

According to an email MAIT sent to its members in January, UIDAI had pitched the idea of preloading the Aadhaar app on smartphones, arguing that it would help users “readily access essential Aadhaar functionalities without the need for separate downloads” and also “enhance its reach and accessibility".

However, the proposal hasn’t gone down well with the industry. MAIT’s member companies are said to have pushed back, pointing out that making the app mandatory on devices “would not drive greater public good” and could complicate manufacturing by forcing brands to create separate production lines for India and global markets. The body also highlighted that such mandates are uncommon worldwide, with Russia being one of the few countries known to require government apps to be preinstalled.

For now, there’s still no clear word on whether the proposal is moving ahead or has been shelved. In a statement to Reuters, MAIT reportedly maintained that its internal communications remain confidential. The Aadhaar app preinstallation plan is also believed to be one of six proposals that the organisation has opposed.

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What Does The New Aadhaar App Do?

The newly launched Aadhar app lets users get a hand on their credentials seamlessly and helps them verify and authenticate them with their Aadhaar. The app is available on Android and iOS both, and it also gives its users the chance to update some personal information as well, block biometric data, and manage family profiles simultaneously as well. The app supports 13 languages, but major smartphone and critic makers have cited this as increasing government control over smartphone usage.