trai apps dnd logo 2Apple's refusal to approve the Indian government's anti-spam iPhone app has infuriated state regulators, which could work against the company's efforts to increase its market share in the country, a report on Wednesday revealed.

According to Bloomberg, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has so far been unable to get its Do Not Disturb (DND) software on the App Store. The app allows people to share spam call and text message logs with the agency, which then sends the data to mobile operators for them to block the spammers. However, Apple has told regulators that the app violates its privacy policy.

“Nobody's asking Apple to violate its privacy policy," said Ram Sewak Sharma, chairman of the Delhi-based telecom regulator. "It is a ridiculous situation, no company can be allowed to be the guardian of a user's data."

The regulator is currently seeking public and stakeholder comments on a consultative paper on users’ control over their personal information and rules on the flow of data through telecommunications networks. The process, scheduled to be completed in September, could eventually lead to new rules governing user data. That could also become part of the telecom licensing process, Sharma said.

Apple has been in talks with the Indian government to open retail stores and to gain permission to sell used iPhones imported into the country. The company is also seeking economic concessions including tax breaks as it sets up local manufacturing plants there, but those efforts could be negatively impacted by Apple's refusal to approve the anti-spam software.

In 2016, Apple shipped 2.5 million iPhones in India, and this year one of its suppliers began assembling a limited number of iPhones in Bangalore. So far, India's government has declined Apple's request to import used iPhones and has yet to respond to the company's other demands.

Half a dozen meetings with Apple have reportedly failed to resolve the standoff over the anti-spam app. While Apple's privacy policy allows it to share user data with affiliates and strategic partners, Sharma said the Indian government's Do Not Disturb app only requires a limited, pre-approved level of data sharing. However, Apple's policy states that sharing data with any other entity isn't permitted.

"The problem of who controls user data is getting acute and we have to plug the loose ends," Sharma said. "This is not the regulator versus Apple, but Apple versus its own users."

Tag: India

Top Rated Comments

0815 Avatar
102 months ago
Apple should have a anti-spam feature build into the phones. I live in the US and Spam calls have gotten worse here - even though legally they are not allowed to call cell phones. It’s mostly robot calls pretending to be from my credit card company or utility services.

The idea of the Indian app sounds great and as long as the user can choose what is being send it should be fine. Not sure what exactly the issue is - is the Indian goverment app maybe uploading the complete call log or anhything else that should not be in there?
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
thisisnotmyname Avatar
102 months ago
"no company can be allowed to be the guardian of a user's data."

but trust us, we're the government :rolleyes:
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Nilays39 Avatar
102 months ago
I live in india, and the thing is in the past the gov. Does not have good record about privacy concern. Even in my state in time of emergency thay have banne mobile internet for a week... So if Apple is opposing the thing than that make sence.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Jeremy1026 Avatar
102 months ago
"It is a ridiculous situation, no company can be allowed to be the guardian of a user's data."
A company 100% can, and should be allowed to protect their users data however they see fit. Just because other companies are in the business of selling user data doesn't mean that Apple needs to do the same.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
44267547 Avatar
102 months ago
I don't know Indian stores ,it's been awhile since I have been there, but what I do know lots of stores (Apple resellers included) do suck in many parts of Asia, there are exceptions though.
That very well be and thanks for information. The reason I asked @Sunny1990 was because of the response he listed below in a discussion while back Regarding India's commerce. So his response geunuinely confuses me as to how he knows the service is poor in India. Perhaps he could clear the confusion.

I don't live in india, so I can't comment on what's going on there
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/apple-to-begin-iphone-6-6s-and-se-manufacturing-in-india-over-next-few-months.2038294/page-4#post-24429568
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
fullauto Avatar
102 months ago
Now if only citizens in other countries could add their phone numbers to India’s Do Not Call register. Seriously 3-4 a day sometimes. Mostly ‘Problem with your PC’ calls or ‘Google AdWords’ scams.. ridiculous.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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