FirstFT: India orders government-developed app to be put in on all smartphones

Good morning and welcome again to FirstFT Asia. In right now’s publication:

• Indian government-developed app triggers snooping considerations

• OpenAI declares “code red”

• China’s booming pharma business

We begin in India, the place the telecoms ministry has demanded that Apple and different smartphone makers set up a authorities cyber safety app on new handsets, elevating considerations about privateness. Right here’s what to know.

In regards to the app: The ministry-developed app, known as Sanchar Saathi, could have entry to the telephone’s name log, reminiscence and digital camera, in keeping with the app’s privateness assertion. The federal government has demanded that producers have the app pre-installed on telephones on the market in India, which it mentioned was meant to curb “misuse of telecom resources for cyber frauds and [ensure] telecom cyber security”.

Snooping considerations: Privateness advocates argue that the app dangers giving the federal government extra surveillance powers in one of many world’s largest cellular markets, with greater than 700mn customers. The directive “represents a sharp and deeply worrying expansion of executive control over personal digital devices”, mentioned Apar Gupta, the director of Web Freedom Basis, an organisation selling free speech on-line in India. The order may additionally put Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s authorities in battle with smartphone makers and builders together with Apple and Google.

Learn the total story.

Right here’s what else we’re maintaining tabs on right now:

• Financial information: Australia and South Korea report third-quarter GDP information. S&P World companies PMI is due for China, Japan, India, Singapore and Australia.

• Europe-China relations: French President Emmanuel Macron begins a three-day go to to Beijing, the place he’s anticipated to be the newest European chief to warn about China’s crushing commerce surpluses with the continent. Scroll right down to right now’s Chart of the Day for extra.

• Books: The Monetary Occasions and Schroders Business E-book of the 12 months is introduced at a ceremony in London and on-line. Right here is the shortlist.

Be a part of senior FT editors right now for a dialogue on what’s going to form the yr forward. Register without cost.

5 extra high tales

1. Robust demand for Japanese authorities bonds helped to calm Asian markets yesterday, a day after hawkish feedback from the central financial institution governor sparked a worldwide sell-off. The yen steadied and fairness markets had been flat, with buyers reassured by demand at an public sale of Japanese authorities bonds.

2. Vladimir Putin accused European nations of undermining Washington’s efforts to finish the conflict in Ukraine, as US envoy Steve Witkoff held talks with the Russian president in Moscow yesterday. In a belligerent speech at a Moscow funding discussion board, Putin threatened to “cut Ukraine off from the sea entirely” in retaliation for assaults on Russia-linked tankers.

• Associated information: The European Central Financial institution has refused to backstop a €140bn cost to Ukraine, dealing a blow to an EU plan to lift a “reparations loan” backed by frozen Russian belongings.

3. OpenAI chief government Sam Altman has declared a “code red” over the necessity to enhance ChatGPT, as rivals Google and Anthropic slender its early lead within the race to develop synthetic intelligence. In keeping with an inner memo despatched on Monday, Altman instructed workers the $500bn start-up was planning to delay different merchandise as “we are at a critical time for ChatGPT”.

4. Donald Trump mentioned he would announce his decide to guide the Federal Reserve “early next year”, as he touted Kevin Hassett, the highest White Home financial official, because the “potential” new head of the US central financial institution. The president’s feedback comply with a months-long choice course of to switch Jay Powell as Fed chair that’s nearing its conclusion.

5. Belgian police detained the EU’s former high diplomat Federica Mogherini and a senior Brussels official yesterday in a probe into suspected fraud over contracts to coach junior officers. Learn extra in regards to the raids on the EU’s diplomatic arm in Brussels and the Faculty of Europe in Bruges.

The Massive Learn

China’s biopharmaceutical corporations are creating medicine quicker and extra cheaply than overseas rivals due to a surge in funding and improved provide chains. However can the nation’s business match rivals like AstraZeneca and Pfizer?

We’re additionally studying . . . 

• India’s labour reforms: Any instant prices for companies and staff can be greater than offset by the long-run advantages of the federal government’s adjustments, writes the editorial board.

• The billionaires and the financial institution boss: A 35-page warrant seen by the FT alleges a plot to grab management of Generali, one of many key gamers in Italian finance.

• Tech start-ups: A new ritual has taken maintain in Silicon Valley and it’s changing the pitch deck for entrepreneurs hoping to lift finance, writes Amber Atherton.

Chart of the day

European producers are growing their funding in Chinese language factories, regardless of rising anxiousness among the many continent’s political leaders about industrial dependence on the world’s exporting superpower.

Take a break from the information . . . 

Ariella Budick, the FT’s US artwork critic, shares her top-10 favorite works in Washington DC, as a part of FT Globetrotter’s new information to the capital.