India withdraws requirement for phone manufacturers to install security app following public outcry

New Delhi India's government announced on Wednesday that it has canceled an earlier directive requiring smartphone manufacturers like Apple and Samsung to include a state-developed security application on all new devices. The decision follows widespread criticism from opposition leaders and privacy advocates, who argued the "Sanchar Saathi" app could allow government surveillance of citizens.

"The government has chosen not to enforce mandatory pre-installation for mobile manufacturers," stated India's Ministry of Communications in an official release Wednesday afternoon.

The original instruction, privately issued to phone makers by the ministry at the end of last month, was leaked to Indian media on Monday. It demanded that all new smartphones come preloaded with the Sanchar Saathi appmeaning "Communication Partner" in Hindiwithin 90 days, and that older devices receive it via software updates. The order also specified that the apps functions could not be disabled or restricted.

The leaked directive sparked immediate backlash. Opposition parties criticized it as a "snooping app," drawing comparisons to Pegasus spyware, which has been developed and sold by the Israeli NSO Group to governments worldwide. On Tuesday, Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia told reporters the app was voluntary and aligned with democratic norms, allowing users to activate or delete it at their discretion. However, he did not address the mandate for pre-installation at that time.

By Wednesday, Scindia reassured the public, saying, "Neither is snooping possible, nor will it be done," while the government continued to defend the app as a tool designed to enhance cybersecurity access for all citizens.

Opposition leaders remained critical. Priyanka Gandhi of the Congress party called the app "a violation of privacy" and accused the government of repeating mistakes similar to those involving Pegasus. Fellow Congress member Renuka Chowdhury highlighted long-standing privacy concerns, arguing that Indian citizens basic rights were being compromised.

Digital rights experts also raised alarms, warning that mandatory app installation could infringe on the privacy of over 1.2 billion mobile users in India. Analyst Prasanto K. Roy suggested that minimum permissions should be enforced, the apps code should be open-source, and independent security reviews should be conducted to ensure trust. Internet for Freedom similarly criticized the apps design, stating that system-level access could make it a permanent, non-consensual point of entry on users devices.

The government maintained that Sanchar Saathi provides practical benefits: tracking, blocking, and recovering lost or stolen phones via their unique IMEI numbers; verifying mobile accounts to prevent fraud; reporting suspicious calls; and confirming device authenticity for transactions. Officials reported that the app has been downloaded 14 million times, assisted in locating 2.6 million lost or stolen phones, and helped disconnect over 4 million fraudulent connections.

While the universal installation requirement has been revoked, authorities emphasize the apps security and utility, framing it as a citizen-focused cybersecurity measure rather than a surveillance tool.

Author: Jackson Miller