India's IT Ministry Rejects Mandatory Pre-Installation of Aadhaar App on Smartphones
India's government has decided against a proposal to require smartphone manufacturers to pre-install the Aadhaar biometric identification app on devices. Aadhaar, a 12-digit unique identity number linked to an individual's biometric data, is widely used in India for verification in banking, telecom services, and airport entry. The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) had previously requested the IT ministry to consider mandatory pre-installation of the app. However, the IT ministry, after consulting with stakeholders from the electronics industry, decided not to proceed with the mandate. This marks the sixth time in two years that the government has attempted to mandate the pre-installation of state apps, all of which have been opposed by the industry. Concerns cited include device security, compatibility, and increased production costs due to the need for separate manufacturing lines for domestic and export markets. 
