By: The Trek News Desk
The Central Government has rolled back its directive requiring all smartphones to come with the Sanchar Saathi cybersecurity app pre-installed. The move comes after intense backlash from digital rights groups and opposition parties, who argued that the mandate posed risks to user privacy and could expand government surveillance.
The Directive Had Been Issued Just Days Earlier
On December 1, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) issued a notification instructing smartphone manufacturers to ship all new devices, starting March 2026, with the Sanchar Saathi app pre-loaded.
The department justified the move by stating that phones with fake or tampered IMEI numbers were increasingly threatening the country’s telecom security, and the app would help curb such misuse.
Government Makes a U-Turn, cites “Rising Popularity” of the App
Facing mounting criticism, the Government on Wednesday announced it was withdrawing the mandatory installation clause. In its official statement, it claimed the app’s adoption surged dramatically after the initial order, making compulsion unnecessary.
According to officials, the app recorded 600,000 new registrations in a single day, a tenfold jump compared to normal usage trends.
The press release stated, “Considering the growing acceptance of Sanchar Saathi, the Government has decided not to mandate pre-installation for mobile manufacturers.”
Launched in 2023, the app now has 14 million users and receives around 2,000 cyber fraud reports daily.
Privacy Concerns Fuel Opposition’s Anger
The initial mandate triggered strong reactions from civil rights activists and opposition parties, who argued that forcing a government-run app onto all devices could set a dangerous precedent for digital surveillance and limit user choice.
In its defence, the Government insisted the app is safe, saying it is, “Designed solely to protect citizens from cybercriminals and has no other purpose.”
Authorities also clarified that users are free to uninstall the app anytime.
What Does This Reversal Mean?
The swift withdrawal appears aimed at containing political and public backlash. However, experts believe this episode has reignited broader debates around data protection, state surveillance, and digital freedoms in India, issues that continue to dominate policy discussions.
Source: News Agencies
