The Indian government has performed a dramatic U-turn, revoking a contentious order that would have forced all smartphones sold in the country to be pre-installed with a state-owned cybersecurity application. The decision follows a significant outcry from technology companies, privacy campaigners, and political opponents.
Tech Giants and Privacy Groups Force Government Retreat
Last week, the Department of Telecommunications quietly issued a directive giving manufacturers a 90-day deadline to mandatorily install the government's 'Sanchar Saathi' app on every new handset. The app is designed to help users block spam calls and track lost or stolen devices.
However, the order immediately sparked fierce resistance. Major technology firms, including Apple and Google, anonymously briefed media that they would not comply, citing serious privacy concerns for their operating systems and violations of internal policy. Internet privacy organisations and India's political opposition simultaneously raised the alarm, warning the app could be repurposed as a tool for mass surveillance.
Political Storm and Surveillance Fears
The controversy erupted in India's parliament on Wednesday. Opposition MPs accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government of violating citizens' fundamental right to privacy. Randeep Singh Surjewala of the Indian National Congress party described the app as a "possible kill switch" that could theoretically be used to disable phones, turning "every cell phone into a brick" to target journalists, opposition figures, and dissidents.
Critics drew parallels with a recent move by the Russian government, which ordered an app called 'Max' to be installed on all smartphones, raising similar surveillance fears. Facing mounting pressure, Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia sought to reassure the public, stating the app was voluntary and could be deleted, despite the original order stating the opposite. "Snooping is not possible through the app, nor will it ever be," he claimed.
A Victory for Digital Rights – For Now
In a statement on Wednesday afternoon, the government formally confirmed it had "decided not to make the pre-installation mandatory for mobile manufacturers," while still maintaining the app was "secure and purely meant to help citizens."
The reversal has been cautiously welcomed by digital rights advocates. The Internet Freedom Foundation celebrated the move but urged vigilance, stating: "For now, we should treat this as cautious optimism, not closure, until the formal legal direction is published and independently confirmed." The episode underscores the growing global tension between state security initiatives and the digital privacy rights of citizens.
