The Madhya Pradesh High Court, on April 23, 2025, issued a notice to the Central Government and leading tech companies including Google India, Apple India, Microsoft Corporation India, and Xiaomi Technology India. This came in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking the establishment of a regulatory body to review mobile and computer applications before they are launched on digital platforms.
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The PIL, filed by petitioner Amitabh Gupta, highlights rising concerns about privacy breaches and financial scams through unregulated apps. The plea stresses the urgent need for a government agency that can screen apps in advance to detect potential threats, including spyware and malware hidden in seemingly legitimate software.
“Notice issued,” said the Division Bench of Chief Justice Suresh Kumar Kait and Justice Vivek Jain. “Shri Ishan Soni accepts notice on behalf of the respondents No.1 to 4/Union of India and seeks time to file the reply.”
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The court has given the Union of India two weeks to file a response. Notices to the other respondents are to be served accordingly, and they are expected to file their replies within three weeks. Any rejoinder must be submitted within two weeks thereafter.
The petition explains how cybercriminals exploit mobile applications that are not properly screened. These apps may gather sensitive information, including financial details, personal images, and videos, which can result in identity theft and monetary loss.
“There is currently no preventive mechanism in place,” the plea states, “which allows malicious apps to reach users easily and cause serious harm.”
While the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) does exist, it mostly focuses on post-incident action like issuing advisories or removing apps after damage has been done. The petitioner argues that this reactive approach is not enough.
To strengthen cybersecurity, the petition calls for clear government guidelines for pre-launch security audits. These audits should examine encryption standards and permission settings in all apps to ensure they do not pose a threat to users’ personal and financial data.
“A regulatory system before app launch will reduce risks of data leaks, fraud, and unauthorized access,” the petition strongly emphasizes.
The court has listed the matter for further hearing after four weeks.
Case Title: Amitabh Gupta Vs Union Of India And Others
