Earlier this year it was reported that Apple and the Indian government had butted heads where Apple had refused to allow an anti-spam app onto the App Store, which according to the reports suggested that this could lead to the government potentially banning the iPhone. It was later reported that Apple was considering giving in, and it looks like they have.
In a report from VentureBeat, it has been confirmed that Apple has since approved the government’s DND app. Dubbed TRAI DND – Do Not Disturb, this is an app that allows the user to block unwanted phone calls and text messages which is apparently a huge problem in the country. The app basically lets users join a registry of known spam numbers and also allows them to report unwanted numbers.
Google has long complied with the government’s request and released the app back in 2016. Apple on the other hand had long fought this request citing privacy concerns. It is unclear if the app that launched managed to find a way around Apple’s App Store policies, or if Apple could have given them a special exception.
This isn’t the first time that Apple has tangled with spam calls and messages on its iPhones. In China, local media had criticized Apple for not doing much to block illegal content found in messages, such as links to gambling, although to Apple’s credit they are working with local carriers to address that.