The Indian government has reversed a directive that would have required all smartphones sold in the country to come with a pre-installed state cybersecurity application. The move follows significant pushback from technology firms and widespread public debate over digital privacy.
Officials from the Department of Telecommunications confirmed the reversal, stating the pre-installation of the “Sanchar Saathi” app would no longer be compulsory for device manufacturers. The application is designed to help users block spam calls, track lost devices, and report telecom fraud.
The original mandate, issued to manufacturers last week, faced immediate criticism. Major technology companies, including Apple and Google, reportedly informed authorities they would not comply, citing conflicts with their own privacy policies and operating system guidelines. The order also sparked a political confrontation, with opposition lawmakers in parliament accusing the government of overreach and threatening citizens’ fundamental right to privacy.
Critics had voiced concerns that the app could be misused for surveillance, drawing comparisons to similar mandates in other nations. In response to the backlash, government representatives clarified that the app was intended as a voluntary tool for consumer protection and emphasized it could be uninstalled by users.
Digital rights organizations have welcomed the government’s decision to step back, though some advocate for continued vigilance. They note that the development, while positive, underscores the ongoing need for transparent policies and robust safeguards around digital rights and state-mandated software.