Managing User Consent in the Age of Government-Mandated Apps

Smartphones arrive with lots of software these days. Some of it you choose. Some of it you do not. When a state orders a preinstalled, non-removable app, the question of user consent moves from theoretical to urgent. I look at the technical and practical implications. I give detailed steps you can follow to push back, harden a device, and protect data.

What forced preinstalls mean for user consent

A forced preinstall removes a basic layer of control. User consent normally covers installation, permissions and ongoing data flows. A government-mandated app can short-circuit that. The recent demand to preinstall the Sanchar Saathi app on phones within a tight window shows how fast policy can change device behaviour. The app is presented as a tool to prevent IMEI duplication and help track lost phones, and the volume of installs and use-cases quoted by authorities is significant. That does not replace consent.

Look at the threat model. A government app that cannot be removed carries four concrete risks:

• Broader permissions than required. An app tied to telecom functions may request SIM access, location, device identifiers and SMS read permissions.
• Silent updates. A forced app can receive updates outside normal vendor review paths.
• Data retention and sharing. Government-controlled apps may store logs or share telemetry with state infrastructure.
• Attack surface increase. The app becomes another kernel-facing component or a privileged process that, if vulnerable, escalates device compromise.

User Consent has two parts. One is an initial affirmative action. The other is meaningful control after installation. Both can vanish with a non-removable app. Losing control matters for Privacy Settings and for Data Protection. Permission dialogs are easy to ignore. A real control layer needs auditability and the ability to disable or limit features. Without that, the device stops being under your control and becomes a monitored end point.

Practical example. If an app is allowed to read SIM details and access location, it can link identity to movement. If it also has network privileges, it can exfiltrate logs. That combination raises state surveillance risk and increases Security Risks in everyday use. The presence of a legitimate justification, such as IMEI spoofing prevention, does not erase the need for technical safeguards and transparency.

Practical hardening steps for devices and apps

Start with discovery. Check every new device and every major update for unexpected apps and services. Do not trust vendor marketing copy. Use these checks and fixes.

1) Inventory system apps

• On Android, check Settings > Apps > See all apps, then enable system processes. Look for unfamiliar names and check permissions.
• Use adb: run adb shell pm list packages -s to list system packages. Note package names and build dates.

2) Freeze or disable where possible

• On many devices, Settings lets you disable system apps and stop them from running. Do that first.
• Use adb to disable: adb shell pm disable-user –user 0 com.example.package
• Some vendors prevent disable. Note that in a locked bootloader environment, adb may still allow a disable if the package is not signature-protected.

3) Remove updates and rollback

• System apps sometimes accept updates that add new capabilities. Remove updates from Settings > Apps > three-dot menu > Uninstall updates. That reduces the attack surface.

4) Limit permissions aggressively

• Open Privacy Settings and revoke everything that is not essential. Revoke location, SMS, contacts and microphone where the app does not explicitly need them.
• For apps with privileged permissions, look for “special app access” and remove capabilities like modify system settings or device admin rights.

5) Network controls

• Use a local firewall app or a network-level firewall on your home router to block outbound connections from the app. Put the device on a VLAN or captive SSID for restricted access.
• If you run Pi-hole or a DNS filter, add rules to block telemetry hosts once identified.

6) Use a secondary device for sensitive work

• If you need strong separation, keep a dedicated device for sensitive accounts and data. That device should run a minimal set of vetted apps and strict Privacy Settings.

7) Consider factory or custom firmware where legal and technical

• A factory reset can remove user-installed apps but will not remove mandated system apps. If the bootloader can be unlocked and you can install a custom ROM that excludes the app, that restores user choice. Note the legal and warranty implications and the increased risk if you do not fully understand the process.

8) Audit and monitor app behaviour

• Use Android’s Developer Options and logcat to observe background activity. Track network connections with tcpdump or a routed proxy like mitmproxy on a controlled network.
• Record what endpoints the app talks to and how often. That gives evidence for complaints or legal action and helps refine firewall rules.

9) Keep device and app updated, but read updates

• Security patches matter. Install vendor security updates. Read changelogs where available. If an update adds new permissions, consider delaying and auditing.

10) Legal and civic channels

• If you value User Choice, register a formal complaint, use data protection authorities, or reach out to privacy advocacy groups. Legal rules can override vendor policy and may provide remedies such as transparency reports, independent audits, or compensation.

Concrete commands and checks

• List system packages: adb shell pm list packages -s
• Check package info: adb shell pm dump com.example.package | grep permission
• Disable package: adb shell pm disable-user –user 0 com.example.package
• Revoke runtime permission: adb shell pm revoke com.example.package android.permission.ACCESSFINELOCATION

Verification steps

• After disabling, reboot the device and verify the package remains inactive.
• Re-run network capture during normal use to confirm blocked connections.
• Periodically check for re-enabled packages after system updates.

Final takeaways

• User Consent is meaningful only when the user can opt out and audit behaviour. A non-removable, state-mandated app removes both.
• Use inventory, permission-hardening, network controls and separate devices to reduce risk.
• Where possible, gather evidence: package lists, permission states and network logs. That turns a privacy gripe into a measurable incident.
• Keep legal and civic options open. Technical fixes buy time. Legal remedies can restore choice.