The technology ministry of India recently met with executives from Apple, Google, and other smartphone makers.
They requested direct access to the Gov.in app suite on their platforms.
The government wants to make the entire Gov.in app marketplace easily accessible on iOS and Android.
India, with its large population, is a major market for smartphone makers including Apple and Google. Considering that, the Indian government is asking them to accommodate a state-backed app marketplace. We are talking about the Gov.in app store. Recent Bloomberg reports revealed that the technology ministry of India recently met with executives from Apple, Google, and other smartphone makers. They requested direct access to the Gov.in app suite on their platforms.
Many Indian government apps are already listed on both Apple App Store and Google Play Store. However, the government wants to make the entire Gov.in app marketplace easily accessible on iOS and Android. This would involve either integrating the app store directly into existing platforms or pre-installing it on devices sold in India.
The issue here is that Apple has strict policies of its own and doesn’t allow third party app stores on its platform. To fulfill the government’s request, it would require Apple to navigate its strict policies prohibiting third-party app stores within its ecosystem.
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Further, the government has asked the app suite to be pre-installed on smartphones and downloadable from third-party sources without triggering warnings about untrusted sources.
Apple’s global stance on app marketplaces has been firm for years now. For example, third-party app stores are only allowed where legally mandated, such as in certain regions of the European Union. Similarly, in Russia, Apple presented iPhone users with a government-mandated list of apps during device setup. We can get to see something similar in India as well.
Also read: Can parents trust Apple’s App Store? New study raises red flags
How Apple responds to this request is to be seen as India as an important market for Apple, both in terms of growing customers and a manufacturing hub to diversify from China.
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Mustafa Khan
Mustafa is new on the block and is a tech geek who is currently working with Digit as a News Writer. He tests the new gadgets that come on board and writes for the news desk. He has found his way with words and you can count on him when in need of tech advice. No judgement. He is based out of Delhi, he’s your person for good photos, good food recommendations, and to know about anything GenZ. View Full Profile
