India has scrapped an order making it mandatory for smartphone makers to preload a state-run cyber safety app on new phones after a public outcry.
The order had given smartphone manufacturers 90 days to include the Sanchar Saathi app on new devices, which could not be disabled or restricted. This raised significant privacy and surveillance concerns among the public and industry experts.
Though the government justified the initiative as a means to verify handset authenticity, critics argued it infringed on citizens' privacy rights. The withdrawal of the order, announced on Wednesday, came after major companies like Apple and Samsung reportedly resisted compliance with the requirement.
Despite the withdrawal, the Sanchar Saathi app has already gained traction, with 14 million downloads and a considerable increase in new registrations recently. However, experts have cautioned against potential implications for user privacy in future policy changes.
While the government maintains that snooping through the app is impossible, digital advocacy groups have welcomed the withdrawal but await more clarity on the accompanying legal framework.
Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia expressed confidence in the app's intentions, insisting that surveillance will not be a concern. Digital rights groups, however, emphasize the need for definitive regulations before moving forward with such initiatives.
