India will not require smartphone makers like Apple and Samsung to preload devices with a state-owned biometric identification app, reports Reuters. The Unique Identification Authority of India asked the IT ministry to start talks with Apple and other tech companies about the possibility of mandatory preinstallation of the Aadhaar identity app, but the IT ministry told Reuters today that it reviewed the proposal and is "not in favor" of mandating the app's preinstallation.

India will not require smartphone makers like Apple and Samsung to preload devices with a state-owned biometric identification app, reports Reuters. The Unique Identification Authority of India asked the IT ministry to start talks with Apple and other tech companies about the possibility of mandatory preinstallation of the Aadhaar identity app, but the IT ministry told Reuters today that it reviewed the proposal and is "not in favor" of mandating the app's preinstallation.

India will not require smartphone makers like Apple and Samsung to preload devices with a state-owned biometric identification app, reports Reuters. The Unique Identification Authority of India asked the IT ministry to start talks with Apple and other tech companies about the possibility of mandatory preinstallation of the Aadhaar identity app, but the IT ministry told Reuters today that it reviewed the proposal and is "not in favor" of mandating the app's preinstallation.