India’s telecom ministry has quietly directed smartphone manufacturers to pre-install a non-removable, state-run cybersecurity app on all new devices, according to a government order — a step that could spark pushback from Apple and digital-privacy advocates.

The country, home to over 1.2 billion mobile subscribers, says the app launched in January has already helped track down more than 700,000 lost handsets, including 50,000 recovered in October, according to Reuters.

Apple, which previously clashed with India’s telecom regulator over the development of a government anti-spam app, is among the companies—including Samsung, Vivo, Oppo, and Xiaomi—now required to comply with the new pre-installation order.

The November 28 order, requires major smartphone makers to pre-install the government’s Sanchar Saathi app on all new phones within 90 days, with no option for users to disable it.

For devices already in the supply chain, manufacturers are instructed to deliver the app through software updates, the ministry said in its confidential order sent privately to select companies.

The government described the app as crucial for addressing “serious threats” to telecom cybersecurity from duplicate or spoofed IMEI numbers, which can facilitate scams and network abuse.

While Apple preloads its own apps on devices, its internal policies bar the installation of any government or third-party app before a smartphone is sold, according to a source with direct knowledge of the matter.

“Apple has historically refused such requests from governments,” said Tarun Pathak, a research director at Counterpoint.

“It’s likely to seek a middle ground: instead of a mandatory pre-install, they might negotiate and ask for an option to nudge users towards installing the app.”

Apple, Google, Samsung, and Xiaomi did not reply to requests for comment, and India’s telecom ministry also remained silent.