India tells smartphone makers to preload cybersecurity app, Reuters says

India’s telecommunications ministry has privately told smartphone makers, including Apple (AAPL), Samsung (SSNLF), and Alphabet (GOOG) (GOOGL), preload all new handsets with a state-owned cybersecurity app that cannot be removed from the phones, Reuters’ Aditya Kalra and Munsif Vengattil report. The move aims to tackle the recent surge of hacks and cyberattacks, with a government order seen by Reuters saying that major smartphone makers have 90 days starting November 28 to ensure that India’s Sanchar Saathi app is pre-installed on new mobile devices and cannot be disabled.