Following public outcry, India has rescinded an order requiring smartphone makers to pre-load new phones with a government cybersecurity app.
The order gave smartphone makers 90 days to pre-install the new Sanchar Saathi app on new phones, which could not be “disabled or restricted.” causing privacy and surveillance issues.
The government has argued the move is necessary to verify the authenticity of phones, but cybersecurity experts said it infringes on citizens' right to privacy.
In withdrawing the order on Wednesday, the government cited the “growing acceptance of the app.” This comes after Apple and Samsung reportedly opposed the directive to pre-install it on their devices.
So far, 14 million users have downloaded the app, reporting 2,000 scams every day, and 600,000 new users signed up on Tuesday alone – a tenfold increase, according to India's Ministry of Telecom.
But the order – adopted last week, but made public on Monday – the requirement to make registration mandatory has generated significant backlash from several cybersecurity experts.
Smartphone giants like Apple and Samsung have also opposed the directive to pre-install the app on their phones.
Sources told the BBC that the companies were concerned that the directive was issued without prior consultation and called into question user privacy standards.
Although the order has now been withdrawn, India's Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia dismissed concerns that the app could be used to increase surveillance.
“Tracking is not possible and will not happen using the Sanchar Saathi security app,” Scindia said.
The government's decision to lift the order was welcomed by digital rights groups.
“This is a welcome development, but we are still awaiting the full text of the legal order that should accompany this announcement, including any revised guidance under the Cyber Security Rules 2024,” the Internet Freedom Foundation said on X.
“For now, we should view this as cautious optimism rather than finalization until the formal legal direction is published and independently confirmed.”
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