Samsung and Apple push back on govt orders to preload Aadhaar app: Here is why

India’s push to expand access to its flagship digital identity system has run into resistance from global smartphone makers. The government officials informally suggested to the companies like Apple, Samsung and Google that they consider pre-installing the Aadhaar app on their upcoming devices in the month of January. Authorities said that by this the government wants to ease the use of service for millions of users across the country. However, the industry has been cautious about the move as the industry representatives have expressed concerns over the cost of the devices, the performance of the devices, and the choice of the devices.

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Aadhaar is an identification system operated by the Unique Identification Authority of India. It provides a 12-digit identity number linked to the fingerprint and iris scan of the citizens. It is being used for various purposes, including banking, telecommunications, and even entry into the airport. Officials believe pre-installing the app would help users access services faster without needing to download anything separately.

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However, companies represented by the Manufacturers’ Association for Information Technology (MAIT) argued that such a move may not deliver clear public benefit. According to internal communications, firms said pre-installation could increase manufacturing complexity. Furthermore, they said if they were to comply with the government’s pre-loading demand, then that could raise costs and create logistical challenges, as the devices made for India might need separate production lines from those built for global markets.

Some companies have also expressed concerns about the possibility of the presence of applications causing technical problems. Privacy activists have been vocal about the Aadhaar card system. They have pointed to previous data breaches when the data of individuals was said to have been leaked online.

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The government has previously asked companies to preload other official apps, including a telecom security tool and a disaster alert service. In at least one case, the plan was withdrawn after criticism from opposition groups and civil society.

According to Reuters, the industry body MAIT wrote a letter to India’s IT ministry on March 10. In the letter, MAIT said it does not agree with the government’s request to pre-install another app called Sachet, which is used for disaster warnings. Furthermore, it also raised concerns about the plan to pre-install Aadhaar and five other government apps. MAIT said the industry has always opposed such pre-installation requirements. So far, Indian authorities have not responded to MAIT’s letter.

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Bhaskar Sharma

Bhaskar is a senior copy editor at Digit India, where he simplifies complex tech topics across iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, and emerging consumer tech. His work has appeared in iGeeksBlog, GuidingTech, and other publications, and he previously served as an assistant editor at TechBloat and TechReloaded. A B.Tech graduate and full-time tech writer, he is known for clear, practical guides and explainers. View Full Profile