India cancels requirement to pre-install government cyber safety app on smartphones

India has withdrawn its directive requiring smartphone manufacturers to pre-install a government-operated cybersecurity application on new devices following widespread public criticism. The directive, initially issued last week and made public on Monday, had given manufacturers 90 days to embed the Sanchar Saathi app on new phones, which could not be "disabled or restricted," raising concerns over privacy and potential surveillance.

The government had defended the move, claiming it was necessary to confirm the authenticity of handsets, but cybersecurity experts argued that it infringed on citizens' privacy rights. Officials stated that the order was being withdrawn due to the app's "growing acceptance." According to the telecom ministry, over 14 million users have already installed the app, with around 2,000 fraud reports submitted daily. On Tuesday alone, 600,000 new users registered, marking a tenfold increase in daily downloads.

The mandatory pre-installation requirement had sparked strong opposition from cybersecurity specialists, as well as major smartphone companies like Apple and Samsung. Sources told the BBC that these firms were concerned the directive had been issued without prior consultation and conflicted with standard user privacy practices.

Although the order has now been retracted, India's Minister of Communications, Jyotiraditya Scindia, dismissed fears that the app could facilitate surveillance. "Snooping is neither possible nor will it happen with the Sanchar Saathi safety app," he stated.

Digital advocacy organizations welcomed the government's reversal. The Internet Freedom Foundation remarked on X that, while this decision is positive, the formal legal text should be reviewed to confirm any updated instructions under the Cyber Security Rules, 2024. They emphasized that until the official directive is published and verified, the situation should be treated with "cautious optimism."

Author: Olivia Parker