The central government had issued directives to smartphone companies to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app in all upcoming smartphones. For this, companies were given a period of 90 days. In addition, the government advised mobile companies to install the Sanchar Saathi app in older smartphones through software updates. However, after massive uproar by the opposition over the Sanchar Saathi app during the winter session of Parliament, the government has withdrawn its decision to pre-install the app. According to reports, seeing the growing acceptance of Sanchar Saathi, the government has now decided to withdraw the requirement of mandatory pre-installation for mobile phone manufacturers. This decision was taken after two days of ongoing controversy surrounding the directive, which had raised serious concerns about privacy.
Why did the government withdraw this order?
The government statement issued on Wednesday afternoon said that the pre-installation order issued to phone companies is being withdrawn immediately because users themselves are quickly downloading the app, with more than 600,000 downloads recorded in the last 24 hours. According to the government, the pre-installation requirement was initially implemented to speed up the spread of this cybersecurity app and to ensure its reach to as many people as possible.
When did the controversy over the communication app begin?
The controversy around the communication companion app arose when the central government directed all smartphone manufacturers, including global companies like Apple, to pre-install this app on every new phone sold in India. According to reports, some companies were preparing to legally challenge this order, as the directive also stated that the app could not be removed or easily disabled. Opposition parties, digital rights activists, and civil society groups launched campaigns against the pre-installation of the app. In their view, making it mandatory to pre-install a government app on all devices is a direct attack on citizens' right to privacy.