US EditionIndia rolls back order to preinstall cybersecurity app on smartphones
The telecom ministry withdrew the mandatory preinstallation order after privacy concerns and pushback from makers; the app has over 14 million downloads, with 600,000 new users in one day.
- 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.
56 Articles
56 Articles
India Backs Down After Uproar Over Mandatory Phone-Tracking App
India has reversed a controversial directive that would have required smartphone makers like Apple and Samsung to preinstall a government-developed security app, Sanchar Saathi, on all new and existing devices. The Ministry of Communications withdrew the order Wednesday after a fierce backlash from opposition leaders and digital-rights groups, who warned the app could enable state surveillance and compared it to the Pegasus spyware scandal. Appl…
The central government on December 3 removed the pre-installation requirement of the communication companion app for mobile manufacturing companies after massive protests and privacy concerns.
Centre withdraws order to pre-install Sanchar Saathi on smartphones amid ‘snooping’ claims
Opposition leaders had raised concerns about snooping, saying the app could listen to calls and monitor messages..cybersecurity app, Sanchar Saathi, mobile security, smartphone security, data privacy, digital security, cyber threat protection, government surveillance, mobile app downloads, telecom regulation, privacy concerns, pre-installed apps, phone tracking prevention, Sanchar Saathi app benefits, how to use Sanchar Saathi
‘We are not fixated over it’: Jyotiraditya Scindia in Lok Sabha as govt withdraws order on Sanchar Saathi app
Government revokes mandatory pre-installation of Sanchar Saathi app amid privacy concerns. Telecom Minister assures user privacy, clarifies app functions, and emphasizes flexibility based on feedback. Sanchar Saathi aids in fraud reports and device recovery.
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