Why did India mandate the Sanchar Saathi app on smartphones?

India initially planned to mandate the Sanchar Saathi app to enhance cybersecurity and anti-theft features on all new smartphones sold.

What were the privacy concerns about the Sanchar Saathi app mandate?

Critics worried the mandatory pre-installation would grant the government excessive access to user devices and weaken overall privacy protections.

Has the Sanchar Saathi app mandate been completely canceled in India?

Yes, India has backed away from forcing pre-installation, making the Sanchar Saathi app voluntary again for smartphone manufacturers.

Home / Technology / India Reverses Mandatory App Plan After Privacy Backlash

India Reverses Mandatory App Plan After Privacy Backlash

3 Dec

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Summary

India withdrew its plan to mandate pre-installation of a government app.
Concerns over state access and weakened privacy protections fueled the reversal.
The Sanchar Saathi app will now remain voluntary for smartphone makers.

India Reverses Mandatory App Plan After Privacy Backlash

India has stepped back from a controversial plan to require smartphone makers to pre-install a government application on all devices. The telecom ministry announced that the Sanchar Saathi app, designed for anti-theft and cybersecurity, will now be voluntary, reversing a directive issued just last week. This decision comes after widespread criticism regarding potential privacy infringements and expanded state surveillance capabilities.

The government stated that the app's increasing acceptance led to the decision to not make pre-installation mandatory. However, manufacturers are still awaiting official notification of this withdrawal. The Sanchar Saathi app, launched in January 2025, has reportedly seen significant download numbers and a surge in user interest following the recent controversy.