India has reversed its earlier directive requiring mobile phone manufacturers and importers to pre-install the government-backed Sanchar Saathi application on all new smartphones sold in the country. The Communications Ministry announced on Wednesday that the government had “decided not to make the pre-installation mandatory for mobile manufacturers,” marking a notable shift just 48 hours after the original order was issued.
The initial directive, communicated privately to major firms including Apple, Samsung, and Xiaomi on November 28, required that all new devices sold in India be equipped with Sanchar Saathi within 90 days. The ministry said the earlier mandate was aimed at preventing the purchase of counterfeit devices and supporting efforts to “curb misuse of telecom resources for cyber fraud and ensure telecom cybersecurity.”
Sanchar Saathi and India’s Cybersecurity Push Sparks Political Backlash
Manufacturers and importers had originally been told to push the app to smartphones already circulating in distribution channels through software updates. However, the requirement immediately generated controversy. Opposition parties argued that the move had serious privacy implications, accusing the government of “watching over every movement, interaction, and decision of each citizen.” Privacy concerns escalated after activists and digital rights groups likened the situation to an order in Russia requiring all smartphones to install the state-backed Max app, which critics described as a mass surveillance tool.
While the government initially claimed that Sanchar Saathi was optional and removable, the confidential instruction given to companies stated the opposite, leading to further criticism. Several technology companies, including Apple and Google, signaled privately that they would not comply, saying the requirement conflicted with internal privacy policies and raised security concerns for their operating systems.
Government Defends Sanchar Saathi as a Cybersecurity Tool
Despite the swift backlash, the government continued to defend the app itself. Officials emphasized that Sanchar Saathi, which enables users to block or track lost or stolen devices and report fraudulent calls, was intended to assist citizens against “bad actors.” The Communications Ministry noted that 14 million users had already downloaded the app and were collectively contributing information on roughly 2,000 fraud incidents each day. This usage, the ministry stated, demonstrated the public’s trust in the government-provided cybersecurity tool.
Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia responded directly to opposition allegations, calling the fears unfounded. He insisted the app remained voluntary: “I can delete it like any other app, as every citizen has this right in a democracy. Snooping is not possible through the app, nor will it ever be.”
The matter reached parliament, where opposition MPs sharply criticized the original order. Randeep Singh Surjewala of the Indian National Congress warned that Sanchar Saathi could function as a “possible kill switch” capable of turning “every cell phone into a brick,” suggesting it could be misused against journalists, dissidents, or political opponents.
India Reverses Course as Public and Industry Push Back
Following the growing national outcry, the Department of Telecommunications formally revoked the mandate. Civil society groups welcomed the reversal, though some urged caution. The Internet Freedom Foundation said the decision should be viewed as “cautious optimism, not closure,” until a formal legal direction is issued and independently verified.
While India continues to expand its digital public infrastructure and its cybersecurity initiatives, the short-lived mandate illustrates the ongoing tensions between national security measures and privacy concerns. With the withdrawal of the order, the government reaffirmed that adopting Sanchar Saathi will remain a user choice rather than a compulsory requirement for all smartphone owners in India.
