Apple refuses TRAI’s New Regulation to allow DND App in iOS Store
According to the India Today, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has recently introduced a new policy requiring all domestic smartphones to have a software called Do Not Disturb (DND 2.0) to connect to telecom operators. However, Apple’s behaviour of pre-installed software, which may be denied due to privacy risks, prohibits DND 2.0 from entering the App Store, which means that India’s iPhone may not be able to use 3G, 4G networks or even sell properly.
DND 2.0 is an anti-spam and blocking harassing phone software; the primary purpose is to track and combat Indian telecom harassers, such as frequent calls or spam messages. However, Apple refused to let the software be downloaded from the App Store. Apple believes that the software has captured the user’s call and SMS records, infringing on personal privacy.
According to TRAI’s regulation:
“Every Access Provider shall ensure, within six months’ time, that all smart phone devices registered on its network support the permissions required for the functioning of such Apps as prescribed in the regulations 6(2)(e) and regulations 23(2)(d);Provided that where such devices do not permit functioning of such Apps as prescribed in regulations 6(2)(e) and regulations 23(2)(d), Access Providers shall, on the order or direction of the Authority, derecognize such devices from their telecom networks.”
Regarding personal privacy, Apple pays more attention than other technology companies. Earlier, the US Federal Bureau of Investigation asked Apple to crack an iPhone of a dead terrorist to help the police investigate the case, but Apple refused to defend the user’s privacy. The incident sparked controversy in the United States, but it also established Apple’s image of resolutely protecting personal privacy.
Currently, DND 2.0 is not reviewed by the App Store and can only download from the Google Play Store.
