Government Backtracks on Mandatory Sanchar Saathi App Pre-Installation in New India
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In a surprise U-turn, the Indian government has decided to drop plans to make the Sanchar Saathi app mandatory for all mobile phones sold in the country. The communications ministry announced the decision on Wednesday, citing the app's growing popularity as the reason for the change of heart. The government had initially ordered mobile manufacturers to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app on every device sold in India, sparking concerns about user privacy and potential government surveillance. Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia had clarified that users could delete the app if they chose to, but the move still raised eyebrows among experts and civil society groups. However, after just five days, the government has now decided to make the pre-installation of the app optional. The decision comes as the app has seen a significant surge in adoption, with over 600,000 citizens registering to download it in just one day. The government claims that the Sanchar Saathi app has contributed to the detection of over 2,000 fraud incidents daily, with 14 million users having downloaded the app so far. The move has been welcomed by some as a positive development, but critics remain skeptical, accusing the government of trying to create a surveillance state. Industry executives and officials have offered different explanations for the government's decision, with some attributing it to pressure from the industry and public outrage, while others claim that mobile manufacturers have welcomed the move and are working to implement the mandate. The government maintains that the app is designed to simplify access to its fraud-prevention tools and protect users, but critics argue that it could be used for snooping and surveillance. The full text of the revised legal order has yet to be published, leaving many questions unanswered. As the debate continues, one thing is clear: the Indian government's decision to drop the mandatory pre-installation of the Sanchar Saathi app has sparked both relief and skepticism among users and experts alike.
