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The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) introduced the complete version of its new Aadhaar application earlier this year. Around that same time, it was reported that India’s telecom ministry made a private request to smartphone manufacturers to install the Aadhaar biometric identification application on all new gadgets. A recent report indicates that this suggestion has met with resistance from the Manufacturers' Association for Information Technology (MAIT). Companies like Apple and Samsung have reportedly expressed worry about this decision, mentioning concerns for security and safety. According to a report by Reuters, an internal email from MAIT dated January 13 showed that UIDAI had contacted India's IT ministry earlier in January to discuss with major smartphone producers like Google and Apple the possibility of preinstalling the newest version of the Aadhaar application on their devices. Although this was not a formal order, it seems to have caused some backlash from the industry.
The Reuters report that refers to MAIT documents states that companies believe that such requirements for preinstallation would raise their costs and risks during production, possibly leading to functional problems for users. According to industry sources, the report stated that Apple and Samsung raised concerns about safety and security. An email sent from MAIT to its members in January mentioned that UIDAI conveyed that preinstalling the application would allow for "easy access to essential Aadhaar functions without needing separate downloads" and "improve its reach and accessibility. " Reportedly, MAIT’s member companies did not agree with the idea of preloading the Aadhaar application onto devices, arguing that compulsory preinstallation "would not benefit the public" and could require manufacturers to operate separate production lines for goods destined for India and for export. The industry group also pointed out that such requirements are uncommon worldwide, with Russia being one of the few nations that require government applications to be preinstalled.
Nonetheless, it seems unclear if this proposal is still being considered or if it has been abandoned. MAIT stated to Reuters that its internal discussions are confidential. The Aadhaar app preinstallation suggestion is reported to be one of six initiatives that MAIT has officially opposed. The Aadhaar application, which was fully launched in January, allows users to confirm their credentials and authenticate using Aadhaar. It is available on both Android and iOS and offers users the ability to update personal information, manage family profiles, and lock their biometric data for enhanced security. This app is accessible in 13 different languages spoken in India. Critics have claimed that this proposal indicates a rising level of government oversight over smartphone usage.
