According to PANews, India's Ministry of Technology has recently requested that smartphone manufacturers like Apple and Google allow the official app store GOV.in to access the iOS and Android app markets. The government also wishes for these apps to be pre-installed on devices or available for download without triggering 'untrusted source' warnings.
Currently, Google has stated that it is collaborating with the government to maintain the mobile ecosystem but has not directly addressed the request. Both Apple and Google have strict policies controlling their app stores and benefit significantly from a 30% revenue-sharing model. The companies may face pressure from policy enforcement or legal measures.
India has previously taken a firm stance against tech giants, including banning TikTok in 2020 and demanding Meta decrypt WhatsApp messages.