India's Aadhaar app proposal faces industry pushback.
India’s proposal to mandate pre-installation of the Aadhaar app on smartphones is facing resistance from device manufacturers and tech firms, citing increased production costs and potential security risks, according to a report by Reuters.
The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) requested the IT ministry to engage with companies like Apple, Samsung, and Google in January to explore pre-loading the Aadhaar app on new devices, aiming to improve user access to essential services without requiring separate downloads.
The Manufacturers’ Association for Information Technology (MAIT), representing major smartphone brands and tech companies including Dixon, Nothing, and Google, voiced concerns over potential technical issues and the implications of pre-installing a government app linked to biometric data.
MAIT also highlighted potential privacy and security risks. They noted that few countries have similar mandates, with Russia being a key example of requiring pre-installed state apps.
The UIDAI argues that pre-installing the app would enhance accessibility and streamline the use of key services. The proposal follows the rollout of a redesigned Aadhaar app, positioned as a privacy-first identity solution, which allows selective sharing of identity data and consent control.
The Aadhaar app supports features like QR-based verification, face authentication, biometric lock, and authentication history. It enables users to manage up to five Aadhaar profiles on a single device and update details like address and mobile number.
This proposal comes after the government retracted a plan to mandate a telecom security app, Sanchar Saathi, on smartphones due to criticism from tech firms and manufacturers, who argued that the app’s deep integration could lead to surveillance.
About the Author
