reuters.com
www.reuters.com

India’s telecoms ministry has privately asked smartphone makers to preload all new devices with a state-owned cyber security app that cannot be deleted, a government order showed

  • earthworm@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    17·
    1 day ago

    The app is mainly designed to help users block and track lost or stolen smartphones across all telecom networks, using a central registry. It also lets them identify, and disconnect, fraudulent mobile connections.

    With more than 5 million downloads since its launch, the app has helped block more than 3.7 million stolen or lost mobile phones, while more than 30 million fraudulent connections have also been terminated.

    The government says it helps prevent cyber threats and assists tracking and blocking of lost or stolen phones, helping police to trace devices, while keeping counterfeits out of the black market.

    There has to be a way to do all of this without installing something on your phone that you didn’t ask for.

    • raef@lemmy.worldEnglish
      13·
      1 day ago

      Isn’t it a little suspicious that nearly every one who downloaded it later had their phone stolen?

      • mikezane@lemmy.worldEnglish
        3·
        15 hours ago

        It does say lost or stolen. I usually keep my phone on vibrate so when I set it down on a wired place at my home, I often use Google’s find my phone feature to make it ring instead of looking around the house. They could be counting things like that.