Modi government withdraws order to pre-install Sanchar Saathi on smartphones
What's the story
The Indian government has withdrawn its order mandating the pre-installation of the Sanchar Saathi cybersecurity app on all smartphones sold in the country. The decision comes after a massive surge in user downloads, with over 1.4 crore people having downloaded the app so far. In just 24 hours, six lakh new users have registered on the platform, marking a 10-fold increase in daily uptake.
App functionality
Government's statement on Sanchar Saathi's purpose
The government clarified that the Sanchar Saathi app is a secure platform designed to protect citizens from cyber threats. It can be deleted if users wish to do so. The app was developed by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) as a security and awareness platform for managing digital identities, reporting suspicious activity, and safeguarding devices against cyber risks.
Privacy debate
Opposition's concerns and government's response
The government's decision to mandate pre-installation of the app had faced backlash from opposition leaders and civil activists. They raised concerns over potential privacy violations and the possibility of the app being used for surveillance, reminiscent of the 2021 Pegasus spyware scandal. In response, Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia assured that snooping was neither possible nor would happen with Sanchar Saathi.
User feedback
Sanchar Saathi's growing popularity
The government noted that the app's success relies on public participation. With over 1.4 crore downloads and nearly 2,000 fraud reports daily, officials have decided to reassess their approach based on user feedback. The initial mandate was aimed at helping less aware users access a reliable cybersecurity tool more easily, but given the rapid adoption rate, they feel it's no longer necessary to make pre-installation mandatory.