Spat between Apple & India over 'Do Not Disturb' app could lead to new data rules
The impasse between Apple and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India over the country's "Do Not Disturb" app could be swung by future rules that would force Apple to allow it, a report suggested on Wednesday.
The TRAI is currently asking for public and stakeholder comments on a paper over user control of personal data, as well as data flow through networks, Bloomberg said. The process should finish later this month, and could eventually result in new rules and licensing arrangements.
Personal data is the primary reason Apple has yet to allow the app on the App Store. While the Android version can access SMS and call logs for sharing phone numbers with the TRAI, Apple's rules prevent third-party software from having that kind of access, even with user consent.
Talking to Bloomberg, TRAI chairman Ram Sewak Sharma argued that Apple's policies allow sharing user data with affiliates and strategic partners, and that Do Not Disturb would require only pre-approved sharing of a limited amount of information.
"Nobody's asking Apple to violate its privacy policy," said Sharma. "It is a ridiculous situation, no company can be allowed to be the guardian of a user's data."
Sharma noted that the government has met with Apple six times on the matter without progress.
"The problem of who controls user data is getting acute and we have to plug the loose ends," he added. "This is not the regulator versus Apple, but Apple versus its own users."
The TRAI is currently asking for public and stakeholder comments on a paper over user control of personal data, as well as data flow through networks, Bloomberg said. The process should finish later this month, and could eventually result in new rules and licensing arrangements.
Personal data is the primary reason Apple has yet to allow the app on the App Store. While the Android version can access SMS and call logs for sharing phone numbers with the TRAI, Apple's rules prevent third-party software from having that kind of access, even with user consent.
Talking to Bloomberg, TRAI chairman Ram Sewak Sharma argued that Apple's policies allow sharing user data with affiliates and strategic partners, and that Do Not Disturb would require only pre-approved sharing of a limited amount of information.
"Nobody's asking Apple to violate its privacy policy," said Sharma. "It is a ridiculous situation, no company can be allowed to be the guardian of a user's data."
Sharma noted that the government has met with Apple six times on the matter without progress.
"The problem of who controls user data is getting acute and we have to plug the loose ends," he added. "This is not the regulator versus Apple, but Apple versus its own users."
Comments
Why is it only a problem in India, when it comes to "loose ends" and that urge to "plug" them? Why no one urges to plug those aforementioned "ends" here, in the US of A?
Sigh...
Wow. That just speaks volumes, doesn't it?
I hope Apple sticks to its guns on this issue - even if it means pulling out of the Indian market. They must know a whole host of other countries/state agencies are watching this very closely.
Google don't care about user privacy so they are happy to share anything and everything with who ever asks them nicely. Or even looks at them twice at a party....
I think you're right. It disappoints me to see it happen, but I agree that Apple will comply.
I applaud Apple for taking a hard line here and refusing to open Pandora's box as an innocuous request may eventually lead to more serious demands restricting user privacy (like the FBI's demand for a backdoor to the iPhone).
At the same time, anyone that has used a phone in India would realize (as I did) how acute the spam problem is. I received enough spam messages to bury my real text messages and it was quite a task to continuously delete the spam. It is creditable that the Indian govt is trying to address the issue, at least. For the unaware, the TRAI has, to its credit, stood firmly on the side of users & privacy in the past and blocked FaceBook's internet.org project in India in the interest of net neutrality.
Maybe Apple could build its own app replicating the functionality of the govt's app and eliminate the need to provide the govt access to user data? Might be a win-win, even if it involves extra effort for Apple.