India plans crackdown on pre-installed smartphone apps in blow to Xiaomi, Vivo

‘We want to ensure no foreign nations, including China, are exploiting’ the weak security of pre-installed apps, a senior government official said

The new rules could extend launch timelines in the world’s No 2 smartphone market and lead to losses for major smartphone players

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A man checks his smartphone while commuting on a tram in Kolkata. India has ramped up scrutiny of Chinese businesses in recent years. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 2:32pm, 15 Mar 2023Updated: 3:39pm, 15 Mar 2023

India plans to force smartphone makers to allow removal of pre-installed apps and mandate screening of major operating system updates under proposed new security rules, according to two people with knowledge of the matter and a government document.

The plan for new rules, details of which have not been previously reported, could extend launch timelines in the world’s No 2 smartphone market and lead to losses in business from pre-installed apps for players including Samsung, Xiaomi, Vivo and Apple.

India’s IT ministry is considering these rules amid concerns about spying and abuse of user data, said a senior government official, one of the two people who spoke on condition of anonymity as the information is not yet public.

“Pre-installed apps can be a weak security point and we want to ensure no foreign nations, including China, are exploiting it. It’s a matter of national security,” the official added.

A man uses a Xiaomi vending machine in Bangalore. Xiaomi and BBK Electronics’ Vivo and Oppo account for 47 per cent of total smartphone sales in India. Photo: Xinhua

Chinese manufacturers account for more than half of all smartphone sales in India.