India has withdrawn an order that mandated smartphone manufacturers to pre-install a state-run cyber safety application on new devices. The government stated the decision was made due to the app's "increasing acceptance".
Original Directive and Concerns
The order, issued last week and publicized on Monday, had granted smartphone makers 90 days to integrate the Sanchar Saathi app into new phones. The directive specified that the app could not be disabled or restricted by users. The government initially justified the mandate as a measure to verify handset authenticity. However, the order generated concerns regarding privacy and potential surveillance among cybersecurity experts and the public. These experts argued that the mandate infringed on citizens' right to privacy.
App Adoption and Industry Opposition
Prior to the withdrawal, the Sanchar Saathi app recorded 14 million downloads. India's telecom ministry reported that the app facilitated approximately 2,000 fraud reports daily, with 600,000 new users registering on a single day, indicating a tenfold increase in registrations.
The mandatory pre-installation directive faced significant opposition from several cybersecurity experts. Major smartphone manufacturers, including Apple and Samsung, also resisted the order. Reports indicated that these companies expressed concerns over the directive's issuance without prior consultation and its potential conflict with user privacy standards.
Government and Advocacy Responses
India's Minister of Communications, Jyotiraditya Scindia, addressed the surveillance concerns, stating, "Snooping is neither possible nor will it happen with the Sanchar Saathi safety app."
Digital advocacy groups acknowledged the government's reversal of the order. The Internet Freedom Foundation commented via X, "This is a welcome development, but we are still awaiting the full text of the legal order that should accompany this announcement, including any revised directions under the Cyber Security Rules, 2024." The organization further stated, "For now, we should treat this as cautious optimism, not closure, until the formal legal direction is published and independently confirmed."