News

India asks Apple, Google and other OEMs to pre-install government-backed apps on their phones: Report

January 24, 2025

The Indian government is reportedly planning to launch it Apna App Store, GOV.inIn an effort to consolidate all its apps into one place for easy access for users. To facilitate this initiative, the government has reportedly reached out to Apple, Google and other original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to provide their users direct access to government-backed apps.

Government asks Apple, Google to pre-install its apps on its devices

According to a report by bloombergGovernment has asked Apple, Google and other OEMs Pre-install government-supported apps on your device Before they start shipping them to potential buyers in the country.
Moreover, the government has asked the tech giants to allow users in India Download state-supported apps from third-party app stores Apart from its own app stores, i.e. Apple’s App Store and Google’s Play Store, without triggering the ‘untrusted sources’ warning.
At present, all government apps are available for download App Store and Google Play StoreOffering them through third-party app stores and as pre-installed offerings on devices in addition to existing routes is likely to broaden access to government services.
There is no information whether users will be able to delete these apps from their phones later or not
However, according to reports, the government’s proposal is facing opposition from both Apple and Google.
Furthermore, the report says the government may Explore using policy mandates or legal mandates To ensure that tech companies including Apple and Google comply with his request.
He said, discussions in this regard are still going on and the final outcome of these discussions remains to be seen.

It is worth noting that this request of the Government of India is not at all new. Apple, in 2021, allowed users in Russia to install government-approved apps to comply with local regulations.