NEW DELHI, Dec 4: India has reversed its recent directive requiring smartphone manufacturers to pre-install a government-owned cybersecurity application on all new devices following intense criticism over digital privacy concerns, Al Jazeera reports.
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) had issued the order on November 28, asking companies, including Apple and Samsung, to integrate the Sanchar Saathi app within 90 days on devices produced or imported for India, Al Jazeera notes. The app was intended to combat mobile fraud and misuse, according to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) administration, Al Jazeera adds.
Tech firms and privacy advocates quickly voiced opposition. Apple reportedly refused to comply, citing privacy and security issues, while Samsung said it was reviewing the mandate, Al Jazeera reports. Critics argued the order represented an overreach into users’ personal devices.
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Under the directive, the app was to be visible and functional at first device setup, and compliance reports were to be submitted within 120 days, Al Jazeera explains. The government justified the move under India’s Telecom Cyber Security Rules, stating the app would allow users to verify IMEIs—the unique identifiers for mobile devices—and report suspicious activity, Al Jazeera reports.
The Internet Freedom Foundation called the mandate “a deeply worrying expansion of executive control,” arguing that it disproportionately infringed on user privacy and autonomy, Al Jazeera notes. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi criticized the app as “snooping” and “ridiculous,” while the Software Freedom Law Centre warned it could mark the start of broader state surveillance, Al Jazeera reports.
A similar debate occurred in 2020 when India required employees to use the Aarogya Setu COVID-19 tracing app, which privacy advocates also described as intrusive, Al Jazeera notes.
By Wednesday, the government announced it would revise the policy based on feedback and subsequently withdrew the pre-installation requirement, Al Jazeera reports. The Communications Ministry emphasized the app’s security and citizen-protection goals, Al Jazeera adds. The Internet Freedom Foundation welcomed the decision but is awaiting the full legal text of the revocation, Al Jazeera reports.
Other countries have pursued comparable measures. Russia launched the state-backed Max app this year, requiring its integration on new phones to prevent fraud and expand access to government digital services.. While authorities claimed the app enhances security, critics warned it could expand surveillance capabilities, Al Jazeera adds.
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