According to internal communications reviewed by Reuters, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) asked the IT ministry in January to explore having the new version of the Aadhaar app automatically loaded on devices sold in India. The initiative, aimed at giving citizens immediate access to Aadhaar services, was met with resistance from manufacturers. Apple and Samsung in particular raised concerns about safety, production complexities, and the need to maintain separate device lines for India and export markets.
Aadhaar, a 12-digit biometric ID system used by over 1.3 billion residents, underpins banking, telecom, and government services. While the Indian government insists the system is secure, privacy advocates have repeatedly warned about breaches, including cases where personal data of hundreds of millions of users appeared on the dark web. Industry letters show that the Aadhaar pre-installation request is one of six recent government proposals resisted by the Manufacturers’ Association for Information Technology (MAIT), which argues that such mandates could set a worrying precedent of state control over smartphones.
The dispute highlights ongoing tension between New Delhi and global tech companies, echoing prior controversies such as a December mandate for pre-installing a telecom security app that was quickly rolled back after public criticism. Analysts say the move could have significant implications for digital privacy and international business operations in India, one of the world’s fastest-growing smartphone markets.
