The Indian government is working on a draft proposal that could force smartphone makers to remove apps which come pre-installed on new phones that cannot be deleted.

Moreover, the government is also considering imposing mandatory screening of every major operating system update before it is made available to consumers, Reuters reported citing a government document.

The new rules, once implemented, could lead to massive losses in business from pre-installed apps for major firms like Samsung, Xiaomi, Vivo, and Apple, and could delay the launch of smartphones in the country.

The move comes as the Information and Technology (IT) ministry has raised security concerns over spying and abuse of Indian users’ data, Reuters reported citing a government official.

"Pre-installed apps can be a weak security point and we want to ensure no foreign nations, including China, are exploiting it. It's a matter of national security," the official was quoted as saying.

<h2>Rishi Sunak hints at TikTok ban from UK government devices</h2>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/rishi-sunak-hints-at-tiktok-ban-from-uk-government-devices-571961/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Presently, all smartphones come with pre-installed apps that cannot be deleted, such as Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi's app store GetApps, Samsung's payment app Samsung Pay mini and iPhone maker Apple's browser Safari.

Under the proposed guilders, smartphone users would be given an uninstall option and new models will be checked for compliance by a lab authorized by the Bureau of Indian Standards agency, two people aware of the plan told Reuters.

"Majority of smartphones used in India are having pre-installed Apps/Bloatware which poses serious privacy/information security issue(s)," stated a February 8 confidential government record of an IT ministry meeting, seen by Reuters.

The confidential meeting was attended by representatives from Xiaomi, Samsung, Apple and Vivo, as per the meeting record.

The smartphone makers have been given one-year time to adhere to the rules once it comes into effect. As of now, no date has been fixed as to when it will be implemented, the document stated.

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

The Indian government is working on a draft proposal that could force smartphone makers to remove apps which come pre-installed on new phones that cannot be deleted.

The Indian government is working on a draft proposal that could force smartphone makers to remove apps which come pre-installed on new phones that cannot be deleted. Moreover, the government is also considering imposing mandatory screening of every major operating system update before it is made available to consumers, Reuters reported citing a government document. The new rules, once implemented, could lead to massive losses in business from pre-installed apps for major firms like Samsung, Xiaomi, Vivo, and Apple, and could delay the launch of smartphones in the country. The move comes as the Information and Technology (IT) ministry has raised security concerns over spying and abuse of Indian users’ data, Reuters reported citing a government official. "Pre-installed apps can be a weak security point and we want to ensure no foreign nations, including China, are exploiting it. It's a matter of national security," the official was quoted as saying. Rishi Sunak hints at TikTok ban from UK government devices Presently, all smartphones come with pre-installed apps that cannot be deleted, such as Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi's app store GetApps, Samsung's payment app Samsung Pay mini and iPhone maker Apple's browser Safari. Under the proposed guilders, smartphone users would be given an uninstall option and new models will be checked for compliance by a lab authorized by the Bureau of Indian Standards agency, two people aware of the plan told Reuters. "Majority of smartphones used in India are having pre-installed Apps/Bloatware which poses serious privacy/information security issue(s)," stated a February 8 confidential government record of an IT ministry meeting, seen by Reuters. The confidential meeting was attended by representatives from Xiaomi, Samsung, Apple and Vivo, as per the meeting record. The smartphone makers have been given one-year time to adhere to the rules once it comes into effect. As of now, no date has been fixed as to when it will be implemented, the document stated. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Indian govt may force smartphone makers to remove pre-installed apps: Report

Apple is changing the way it runs its international businesses, which shows how important India is becoming in the world and how much the company is focusing on the country.

Apple is changing the way it runs its international businesses, which shows how important India is becoming in the world and how much the company is focusing on the country. This will be the first time that India becomes Apple's own sales region, which has seen demand surge, giving the Asian nation increased prominence inside the tech giant. The shift will result in India becoming its own sales region at Apple, according to a report. Media reports also say Apple is making the change after its vice president in charge of India, the Middle East, the Mediterranean, East Europe, and Africa - Hugues Asseman, recently retired. Since he is leaving, the company that makes the iPhone is promoting its head of India, who used to work for Asseman. The executive, Ashish Chowdhary, will now report directly to Michael Fenger, Apple’s head of product sales. Fenger and Doug Beck, both reporting to Apple CEO Tim Cook, are in charge of the company's international and domestic sales departments, respectively. Apple's organisational structure combines hierarchical elements with those based on functions and product lines. WATCH | Apple reshuffling management to give more focus on India × CEO Tim Cook made the company less rigid than it had been under Steve Jobs. Senior VPs of divisions and product managers no longer have to ask the CEO for permission before taking action. The development comes on the heels of news of record revenue registered by Apple in India last quarter, even as its total sales slipped five per cent. Apple has created an online store to serve the region and is planning to open its retail outlets in the country later this year. In the last earnings call, chief executive officer Tim Cook said the company is putting "a lot of emphasis on the market" and compared the current state of its work in India to its early years in China. Read more: Apple to bring Chinese suppliers to boost production in India In addition to serving as a sales engine for Apple, India is also becoming more critical to the company’s product development. Key suppliers are moving to the region, and Apple is working with manufacturing partner Hon Hai Precision Industry, also known as Foxconn, to set up new iPhone production facilities in the country. The new management at Apple will change how the company is structured internally but won't change how the company reports regional sales in its publicly available financials. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Apple's management shake-up reflects its focus on India

Apple Inc's Taiwan contract manufacturers Foxconn, Wistron Corp and Pegatron Corp have applied for India's $6.65 billion scheme to boost local smartphone manufacturing, the country's tech minister said on Saturday.

The production-linked incentive (PLI) plan offers companies cash incentives on additional sales of devices made locally over five years, with 2019-2020 as the base year. India hopes it will help turn the country into a global smartphone export hub like neighbouring China.

Apple already assembles some its smartphones, including the iPhone 11, via Foxconn and Wistron's local unit in two southern Indian states.

Also read- <a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/apple-supplier-foxconn-to-invest-1-billion-in-india-sources-312563">Apple supplier Foxconn to invest $1 billion in India: Sources</a>

Pegatron, one of Apple's top suppliers, has yet to open a plant in India, but is in talks with various states to set up operations, according to sources.

South Korea's Samsung Electronics Co Ltd has also applied for PLIs, technology minister Ravi Shankar Prasad told a news conference.

Samsung runs what it calls the world's biggest mobile phone manufacturing plant on the outskirts of the Indian capital, New Delhi. It also exports devices made at the plant.

Lava, which once also assembled some models for China's Lenovo, was among the Indian companies which had applied for the scheme, Prasad added.

India's smartphone sector is a bright spot in the South Asian nation's economy, thanks to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's emphasis on local manufacturing in a bid to create jobs.

With more than 1 billion wireless subscribers and roughly 350 million users still on basic phones, India offers huge room for growth to smartphone makers.

Its labour, which is cheaper than China's, also allows companies to produce or assemble at lower costs. And companies are ramping up.

Foxconn said it plans to invest up to $1 billion to expand a factory in Tamil Nadu state where it assembles iPhones, sources told Reuters last month.

Apple Inc's Taiwan contract manufacturers Foxconn, Wistron Corp and Pegatron Corp have applied for India's $6.65 billion scheme to boost local smartphone manufacturing, the country's tech minister said on Saturday.

Apple Inc's Taiwan contract manufacturers Foxconn, Wistron Corp and Pegatron Corp have applied for India's $6.65 billion scheme to boost local smartphone manufacturing, the country's tech minister said on Saturday. The production-linked incentive (PLI) plan offers companies cash incentives on additional sales of devices made locally over five years, with 2019-2020 as the base year. India hopes it will help turn the country into a global smartphone export hub like neighbouring China. Apple already assembles some its smartphones, including the iPhone 11, via Foxconn and Wistron's local unit in two southern Indian states. Also read- Apple supplier Foxconn to invest $1 billion in India: Sources Pegatron, one of Apple's top suppliers, has yet to open a plant in India, but is in talks with various states to set up operations, according to sources. South Korea's Samsung Electronics Co Ltd has also applied for PLIs, technology minister Ravi Shankar Prasad told a news conference. Samsung runs what it calls the world's biggest mobile phone manufacturing plant on the outskirts of the Indian capital, New Delhi. It also exports devices made at the plant. Lava, which once also assembled some models for China's Lenovo, was among the Indian companies which had applied for the scheme, Prasad added. India's smartphone sector is a bright spot in the South Asian nation's economy, thanks to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's emphasis on local manufacturing in a bid to create jobs. With more than 1 billion wireless subscribers and roughly 350 million users still on basic phones, India offers huge room for growth to smartphone makers. Its labour, which is cheaper than China's, also allows companies to produce or assemble at lower costs. And companies are ramping up. Foxconn said it plans to invest up to $1 billion to expand a factory in Tamil Nadu state where it assembles iPhones, sources told Reuters last month.

Apple's Taiwan suppliers, Samsung apply for India's smartphone scheme