Despite marketing claims of being “un-hackable,” both Android and Apple devices were compromised globally in over 33.8 million mobile attacks in 2023, and by late 2025, monthly threats have surged past 2.8 million. Android bore the brunt—thanks to sideloaded apps and open-source vulnerabilities; but iPhones weren’t spared, increasingly targeted by spyware like Pegasus and phishing campaigns.
Security isn’t a brand promise. It’s a behavioural ecosystem. And India’s digital ecosystem is dangerously exposed.
The Scale of Exposure: 1.2 billion Phones, 2 Gatekeepers, 42 million Breaches
In 2025, global smartphone sales crossed 1.22 billion units, with Android commanding 79% of the market and Apple’s iOS holding 17%. In India, the divide is sharper: Android powers over 90% of smartphones, making Google Play the primary app host, while Apple’s App Store serves a premium minority.
These platforms aren’t just tech vendors. They are gatekeepers of India’s digital life; controlling how citizens access banking, education, health, and governance.
And yet, India recorded over 42 million installs of malicious Android apps the highest in the world. That’s not just a statistic. That’s a breach of public trust.
How Hackers Attack the Common Citizen Cybercriminals follow a simple rule: target platforms with the most users. And in India, that means:
• WhatsApp (535M users)
• Facebook (448M)
• Instagram (362M)
Here’s how most scam works:
1. A fake message arrives; often mimicking government portals like “RTO E-Challan” or “mParivahan”
2. It contains an .apk file disguised as a devotional app, job portal, discount coupon or loan calculator
3. The bait? A thumbnail of a revered god, a popular guru, or a famous celebrity—designed to trigger trust and curiosity.
4. The user taps and installs; granting permissions unknowingly
5. Malware activates, stealing banking data, reading messages, and hijacking WhatsApp
6. The infected device auto-forwards the same .apk file to all contacts, spreading like wildfire
These scams are especially dangerous for Android users, but Apple users are not immune. Even if the file doesn’t execute on iOS, they can still forward it unknowingly, becoming vectors of attack.
This tactic of weaponizing cultural reverence is not just a technical deception, its emotional manipulation, targeting the elderly, the god-loving/the spiritually inclined, and the digitally unaware.
Eye-Opener for Apple Users: Yes, iPhones Can Be Vectors Too
While Apple’s App Store has stricter controls, iPhones are increasingly targeted by phishing and spyware. Worse, iPhone users can:
* Tap malicious links shared via WhatsApp or Telegram
• Forward .apk files unknowingly, becoming carriers of malware
• Fall prey to browser-based exploits or fake login pages
Security isn’t just about your operating system; it’s about your habits, platforms, and vigilance.
What Is App Hygiene and Why It’s Urgent
App hygiene refers to the security, transparency, and default safety settings of mobile applications. It includes:
• Verified developer credentials
• Secure data permissions
• Default privacy settings
• No hidden trackers or exploitative code
• Timely updates and vulnerability patches
Without these, every download becomes a gamble.
What MeitY Must Mandate—A 5-Point Protocol
India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) must issue a directive that holds app stores, social platforms, and web browsers accountable for digital safety. These platforms are no longer passive conduits; they are active gatekeepers of India’s digital life.
🔒 For App Stores (Google Play & Apple Store)
1: Mandatory hygiene audits for all apps targeting Indian users
India’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) must issue a directive that:
2: Verified .bank.in or .gov.in linkage for financial and government apps:
* As of Oct 31st, 2025, all RBI-regulated banks in India are required to use.bank.in domains for their official websites. This domain is exclusively reserved for licensed financial institutions; no private entity, scammer, or clone site can register it, making it a powerful trust signal for users.
* Similarly .gov.in is reserved for verified government departments and portals, ensuring that citizens can distinguish official services from impersonators.
• MeitY must mandate that any app claiming to represent a bank or government service must link to these verified domains, and apps without such linkage should be flagged or delisted.
3: Default privacy settings; no trackers, no auto-permissions, no silent data harvesting
This isn’t just a tech issue; it’s a civic one
• “Safe by Default” settings on all apps
• “One-tap permission reset” for elderly users
• “Verified by MeitY” badges for high-risk categories
4: Developer transparency; real names, contact info, grievance redressal
5: Public dashboard listing flagged apps, revoked permissions, and hygiene scores
📲For Social Media Platforms
• AI detection of .apk uploads
• Aadhaar or government ID verification for users uploading executable files
• Backend malware scanning before file sharing
• Approval-based sharing; no instant forwards of unverified apps
This mirrors how apps are hosted on Google and Apple servers; and it’s time social platforms adopt the same rigor.
Who This Protects: The Elderly, the Overworked, the Unaware
• Senior citizens who rely on phones for pensions, banking, and health
• Working-class users who juggle multiple apps for work and payments
• Students who download cracked apps or “free” tools without scrutiny
These users don’t need more digital freedom; they need digital guardrails.
Before the Breach, Not After the Tap: MeitY’s Moment to Lead
India’s digital future depends on default safety, verified identity, and AI-powered gatekeeping. MeitY (Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology) must act; not after the breach, but before the download.
Let’s build a culture where every tap is safe, every app is verified, and every citizen is protected by design.
Sources:
[1] Counterpoint Research – Global Smartphone OS Market Share
[2] DemandSage – Android vs iPhone Users in India
[3] Hindustan Times – India under mobile malware attack
[4] Zimperium – 2025 Global Mobile Threat Report
[5] DNA India – iPhone vs Android Security
[6] Global Statistics – India Social Media Usage
