After criticism, govt rolls back mandatory pre-installation of Sanchar Saathi on phones

The Centre on Wednesday announced the rollback of mandatory pre-installation of Sanchar Saathi app on mobile phones.

Under the original order, the Ministry of Communications had directed all phone-makers to mandatorily pre-install Sanchar Saathi on new phones and ensure the app could neither be deleted nor deactivated. For phones already made or sold, the order said manufacturers should install the app through software updates.

The order had created a storm as rights activists said the app’s mandatory pre-installation was a violation of privacy, the Opposition said it was an attempt at snooping, and legal professionals said the order likely violated the allocation of business rules of the government and the Supreme Court’s privacy verdict.

While Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia had previously said the app would be optional and removable, the actual order clearly said it would be mandatory and could neither be removed nor deactivated.

More from India

Client’s ‘frivolous’ complaint pushes Wherehouse to shut down, founder announces on Linkedin Govt ready to change Sanchar Saathi order, has no spying agenda, says Scindia

The order signed by Pranay Diwakar, the ADG of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Intelligence Unit at Ministry of Communications, directed all manufacturers to “ensure that the pre-installed Sanchar Saathi application is readily visible and accessible to the end users at the time of first use or device setup and that its functionalities are not disabled or restricted”.

For phones that have already been manufactured or sold, manufacturers “shall make an endeavour to push the app through software updates”, as per the order.

Govt announces rollback of decision

After widespread opposition to the order, the Centre has announced the rollback of the order.

In a statement, the Ministry of Communications said the intent to make pre-installation mandatory was to help users against bad actors in the cyber world. It said allegations the app could spy on users was meaningless.

Quick Reads

View All

Client’s ‘frivolous’ complaint pushes Wherehouse to shut down, founder announces on Linkedin

Govt ready to change Sanchar Saathi order, has no spying agenda, says Scindia

“Given Sanchar Saathi’s increasing acceptance, government has decided not to make the pre-installation mandatory for mobile manufacturers,” the statement said.