India’s federal government has reversed its directive requiring smartphone manufacturers and importers to pre-install the state-owned cybersecurity app, Sanchar Saathi, on all devices sold in the country.
The withdrawal came after strong backlash from opposition politicians, digital rights groups, and global tech companies, who argued that the mandate posed surveillance and privacy risks. The original order, issued privately to major OEMs including Apple, required implementation within 90 days and compliance reporting within 120 days.
Manufacturers were also instructed to push the app via software updates to phones already in the market, a requirement now cancelled following the government’s retreat.
The Ministry of Communications noted that Sanchar Saathi has already been downloaded by 14 million users, contributing data on roughly 2,000 fraud incidents daily. The government says it will continue to promote voluntary adoption rather than compulsory installation.
