After Intense Backlash, India Pulls Mandate To Preinstall Government App On Smartphones
India drops plan to preinstall Sanchar Saathi on smartphones, citing privacy concerns and public backlash.
Matilda
After Intense Backlash, India Pulls Mandate To Preinstall Government App On Smartphones
India Reverses Government App Preinstall Mandate India has stepped back from its controversial plan to require smartphone manufacturers to preinstall the government’s Sanchar Saathi app, following widespread backlash and privacy concerns. The decision comes after critics warned that mandatory installation could expand state access to personal devices, raising fears over data security and user privacy. As of Wednesday, smartphone makers are no longer obligated to include the app, which provides anti-theft and cybersecurity protections, on new devices. Credits : Google The Indian telecom ministry confirmed the change, emphasizing that Sanchar Saathi will remain available but entirely voluntary. “Given Sanchar Saathi’s increasing acceptance, the government has decided not to make pre-installation mandatory for mobile manufacturers,” the ministry said in a statement. The reversal marks a rare instance of the government responding to public and industry concerns over digital privacy. Public Ba…
