New Delhi: India has reversed its recent order requiring smartphone manufacturers to pre-install a government-run cyber-safety application on all new mobile phones, following strong objections from opposition parties, digital-rights groups and major global technology companies, Reuters reported.
The directive, issued on November 28, had instructed companies such as Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi and other major manufacturers to ensure that the Sanchar Saathi app was preloaded on every new smartphone sold in the country. The order also applied to existing devices through system updates. According to the confidential communication cited by Reuters, the app was required to remain “visible, functional and enabled,” raising concerns that users would not be able to remove or disable it.
Sanchar Saathi, a platform operated by India’s Department of Telecommunications, is designed to help users check fraudulent mobile connections, block stolen devices and verify the authenticity of SIM cards. The government initially argued that making the app mandatory would enhance cyber safety and curb telecom-related fraud.
However, the decision drew immediate criticism. The main opposition Congress party told Parliament that forcing a government-controlled app onto personal devices breached the fundamental right to privacy and risked creating a surveillance mechanism without user consent. Several civil-liberties groups echoed these concerns, warning that non-removable government software could enable misuse.
Tech companies also pushed back. Reuters reported that Apple refused to comply with the order, citing longstanding policies restricting pre-installed third-party apps and emphasizing its commitment to privacy and user choice. Industry associations representing smartphone makers raised similar concerns, noting that the mandate contradicted global device-security standards.
In response to the mounting backlash, the Indian government on December 3 informed Parliament that the directive had been withdrawn. Officials said that since large numbers of users have already downloaded Sanchar Saathi voluntarily, mandatory installation was no longer necessary.
The withdrawal marks a significant retreat from one of India’s most controversial digital directives in recent years.
The Sanchar Saathi app will remain available for voluntary download, and the government said it would continue cyber-fraud prevention efforts through existing telecom regulations and awareness campaigns.
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