India withdraws mandatory pre-installation of Sanchar Saathi app following privacy concerns

India has reversed a recent government directive that required smartphone manufacturers to pre-install a state-run cyber safety application, Sanchar Saathi, on all new devices. The original mandate, which was meant to ensure handset authenticity, had generated widespread criticism from privacy advocates, cybersecurity experts, and major tech companies like Apple and Samsung. The app, which could not be disabled or restricted under the initial order, raised concerns about potential government surveillance and infringement on user privacy. The government justified the app by citing its role in fraud reporting, noting that 14 million users have already downloaded it, with 2,000 frauds reported daily and 600,000 new registrations on a single day. Despite this uptake, the mandatory pre-installation requirement was met with backlash, leading to its withdrawal. Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia emphasized that the app does not allow surveillance, attempting to reassure the public. Digital advocacy groups, including the Internet Freedom Foundation, welcomed the reversal but stressed that the formal legal order and any revised directives under the Cyber Security Rules, 2024, are still awaited. The development highlights the tension between government-led digital security initiatives and privacy concerns among users and tech companies in India.