In a fresh policy discussion, the Government of India has informally proposed that smartphone makers consider pre-installing the Aadhaar app on devices, a move that has met resistance from major technology companies.
The proposal, made in January, involves firms like Apple, Samsung, and Google. It was raised through the Aadhaar authority, Unique Identification Authority of India, which suggested integrating the app directly into smartphones to improve accessibility.
Aadhaar, a 12-digit unique identity number linked to fingerprints and iris scans, is used by nearly 1.34 billion residents for verification across banking, telecom services, and even faster airport entry. While the government maintains the system is secure, it has faced criticism over data leaks where personal information of millions appeared on the dark web.
Industry body MAIT opposed the proposal, stating that pre-installation could increase production costs and create functional issues for users. Companies also raised concerns around safety and security. The proposal was not mandatory, but it still triggered pushback.
According to internal communication, UIDAI believed pre-installation would help users “readily access essential Aadhaar functionalities without the need for separate downloads” and “enhance its reach and accessibility”.
However, MAIT members argued that such a move “would not drive greater public good” and could force companies to maintain separate production lines for India and export markets. The group also noted that Russia is the only country that mandates pre-installation of government apps.
The new Aadhaar app, launched in January, allows users to update personal details, manage family profiles, and lock biometric data for safety.
Apar Gupta said the proposal “shows and evidences a greater amount of government desire of controlling smartphone usage from the very beginning,” adding, “It is clearly problematic.”
It remains unclear whether the proposal is still under consideration. Earlier in December, a similar move to mandate pre-installation of a telecom security app was rolled back after criticism.
MAIT has also opposed pre-installation of another app, Sachet, in a letter dated March 10, maintaining a consistent stance against such requests.
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