US EditionAfter Criticism, Govt Says ‘Sanchar Saathi’ App to Be Optional & Removable
The government responded to privacy concerns by confirming deletion of the Sanchar Saathi app, which was initially mandated to be non-removable on smartphones.
- This week, Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said users will be able to delete the government cyber security app Sanchar Saathi.
- The DoT's Friday order included paragraph 7, stating the app `cannot be disabled or restricted`, a point highlighted in social media reactions.
- Device makers were directed to ship phones with Sanchar Saathi preinstalled, as stated by the Department of Telecommunications on social media on Friday.
- The Congress reacted by calling the directive `beyond unconstitutional` and demanded it be rolled back immediately.
- The Internet Freedom Foundation said Jyotiraditya Scindia's explanation was incorrect and challenged it on social media.
24 Articles
24 Articles
After intense backlash, India pulls mandate to pre-install government app on smartphones
On Wednesday, the Indian telecom ministry said Sanchar Saathi, an anti-theft and cybersecurity protection app, would remain voluntary, and that smartphone makers would no longer be required to preload it on devices they sell.
The Indian government wants to take more action against Internet fraud, but a mandatory app triggers criticism. Civil rights activists warn that users may lose their privacy.
The Sanchar Sathi app sparked a significant controversy in Parliament. The Department of Telecommunications mandated the mandatory pre-installation of the app on all mobile phones. Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia clarified that the Sanchar Sathi app is not mandatory and users can remove it from their mobile phones.
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