US EditionIndia Revokes Order to Install Undeletable Government App on All Smartphones
India revoked its mandate to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app after privacy backlash; the app has 14 million downloads and helped disable 15 million fraudulent SIM connections, officials said.
- On Wednesday, India's telecoms ministry rolled back its order requiring preinstallation of the Sanchar Saathi app on new devices, deciding not to make it mandatory for mobile manufacturers.
- On Monday, the Ministry of Communications ordered smartphone makers to install Sanchar Saathi within 90 days and push it onto older models, prompting privacy concerns.
- Facing privacy and corporate pushback, Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia on Tuesday called the app voluntary after privacy advocates warned it could erode user privacy and consent.
- User registrations spiked amid the preinstall directive and its reversal, with the ministry saying 600,000 new users registered in the last day and the Sanchar Saathi app drawing at least 14 million downloads since its January release.
- Officials said the app is secure and meant to protect citizens, designed to block and track lost phones and identify fraudulent connections.
85 Articles
85 Articles
India Mandates Government Surveillance Apps Installed on All Smartphones to Track General Public 24/7
India’s government has ignited nationwide backlash after quietly ordering private companies to preinstall a controversial government app on every smartphone sold or imported into the country, allowing bureaucrats to track members of the public night and day. The post India Mandates Government Surveillance Apps Installed on All Smartphones to Track General Public 24/7 appeared first on Slay News.
Centre Withdraws Mandatory Pre-installation of Sanchar Saathi App After Opposition Pushback
Get latest articles and stories on India at LatestLY. The decision came after widespread criticism, with opponents arguing that mandatory pre-installation could enable unchecked state surveillance and infringe on consumer choice. The government maintained that the app is secure and meant to protect citizens from cyber threats, but ultimately decided to prioritise user consent. India News | Centre Withdraws Mandatory Pre-installation of Sanchar S…
Apple reportedly refuses to install India’s state-owned app
The NewsApple won’t comply with an order in India mandating smartphones push a state-owned cyber safety app onto devices, Reuters reported. The requirement, shared confidentially with smartphone providers last week, has been the subject of political outcry over fears the government could track users or access their data. The government said it hoped the app, which allows users to track stolen phones and report fraudulent calls, would help mitiga…
Indian government uninstalls preloaded security app plan
The Indian government has dropped an order for a state-run cybersecurity app to be preloaded on all new smartphones. The rare policy reversal came amid criticism from politicians, privacy advocates and tech companies.
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