Centre Revokes Mandatory Pre-Installation Of Sanchar Saathi App On Mobile Phones For Manufacturers
This decision reverses a previous order requiring manufacturers to include the app, which faced opposition accusations of government snooping despite assurances from the Communications Minister regarding privacy.
The Centre, on Wednesday, removed the mandatory pre-installation of the Sanchar Saathi app on mobile phones for the manufacturers.
In a press release, the Ministry of Communication said, "The Government with an intent to provide access to cyber security to all citizens had mandated pre-installation of Sanchar Saathi app on all smartphones. The app is secure and purely meant to help citizens from bad actors in the cyber world...Given Sanchar Saathi’s increasing acceptance, Government has decided not to make the pre- installation mandatory for mobile manufacturers."
An order by the Department of Telecom (DoT) had directed the manufacturers and importers of mobile handsets to pre-install its fraud reporting app, which drew backlash from the opposition with allegations of snooping.
The government had given the manufacturers and importers a deadline of 90 days to comply with the order.
The opposition, however, including Congress, accused the BJP-led government of "brazenly snooping" on citizens and giving a deceptive clarification when caught "red-handed".
Addressing the privacy concerns, Communications Minister Jyotiradtiya Scindia said that snooping is neither possible nor will happen with the app.
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