India drops plan for mandatory phone security app.
India withdraws plan to mandate preloaded cybersecurity app on all smartphones after strong public pushback and privacy concerns from users and experts.
NEW DELHI, Dec 3 (Reuters) — The Indian government on Wednesday withdrew its contentious order requiring smartphone makers to preload a state-run cybersecurity application on all new devices, stepping back after a wave of criticism from political leaders, digital rights groups and global tech companies who warned it could open the door to mass surveillance.
The directive, quietly issued on November 28, had instructed companies — including industry giants Apple, Samsung and Xiaomi — to install Sanchar Saathi, an app developed by India’s telecom department, on every new smartphone sold in the country within 90 days. The app was to be preloaded in a way that prevented users from uninstalling it, sparking immediate concerns over privacy and government overreach.
But following growing backlash, the communications ministry announced on Wednesday that the plan had been scrapped entirely.
Opposition parties had been quick to condemn the move, accusing the government of trying to introduce surveillance through the backdoor. Editorials in leading newspapers echoed those fears, arguing that a non-removable, government-run app on every phone could set a deeply troubling precedent in a country already grappling with debates on digital privacy.
Technology companies, too, pushed back. According to sources familiar with discussions, Apple and Samsung were preparing not to comply with the directive, setting up a potential clash with the government. Industry groups warned that such a requirement would violate global standards of user choice and data protection, and would force device makers to redesign key elements of their operating systems.
Ironically, the withdrawal came just a day after senior ministers strongly defended the move. Government officials had insisted that Sanchar Saathi was designed solely to track and block stolen phones, and to prevent criminals from reselling or misusing them. They argued that the app already exists as an optional download and has helped people recover lost devices, pushing back at suggestions that it could be used to monitor citizens.
The original order, however, raised eyebrows because it required the app to be not only preloaded but also impossible to disable — a step far more intrusive than the current voluntary model. Digital rights groups said the combination of forced installation and a lack of clarity on data access created a genuine risk of government overreach.
The rollback highlights the delicate balance India must strike as it positions itself as a global technology hub while responding to domestic concerns over privacy and digital freedom. With more than 600 million smartphone users, India is one of the world’s largest mobile markets, and decisions over digital policy are closely scrutinized by citizens, activists and multinational companies alike.
For now, the government appears to have taken a pause, acknowledging the strong public sentiment against mandatory installation. But the debate over how India should secure its rapidly expanding digital ecosystem — without compromising individual rights — is far from over.