India Reverses Mandatory Cyber Safety App Order Amid Privacy Outcry

India has rescinded a directive that would have compelled smartphone manufacturers to pre-install a state-operated cyber safety application on all new devices, a move that sparked widespread public concern.

The initial order, issued last week and publicly revealed on Monday, had given smartphone makers a 90-day window to integrate the Sanchar Saathi app into new phones. The directive specified that the app could not be “disabled or restricted,” which immediately ignited fears regarding user privacy and potential government surveillance. While the government initially justified the mandate as essential for verifying handset authenticity, cybersecurity experts argued it infringed upon citizens’ fundamental right to privacy.

Sources tell Millenium TV that the government decided to withdraw the order, citing the application’s “increasing acceptance” among the populace. The telecom ministry has reported that the app has garnered 14 million users, processing approximately 2,000 fraud reports daily. Notably, Tuesday alone saw a tenfold surge in new registrations, with 600,000 users joining the platform.

Despite these figures, the initial mandate for pre-installation faced significant backlash from various cybersecurity specialists. Major smartphone companies, including Apple and Samsung, reportedly resisted the directive. Millenium TV has learned that these companies expressed concerns over the order’s issuance without prior consultation and its potential conflict with established user privacy standards.

Following the withdrawal of the order, India’s Minister of Communications, Jyotiraditya Scindia, addressed the surveillance concerns directly. “Snooping is neither possible nor will it happen with the Sanchar Saathi safety app,” Scindia stated, seeking to reassure the public.

Digital advocacy organizations have largely welcomed the government’s reversal. The Internet Freedom Foundation commented, “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 directions under the Cyber Security Rules, 2024.” The organization added that while it viewed the development with “cautious optimism,” it would not consider the matter closed until formal legal direction is published and independently confirmed.