DoT drops compulsory Sanchar Saathi pre-install rule after surge in downloads

The Centre has withdrawn its order directing smartphone makers to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi cybersecurity app, citing a ten-fold rise in voluntary downloads. The November 28 mandate had stirred political controversy, with opposition parties alleging potential snooping risks

New Delhi: The government on Wednesday withdrew the order mandating the pre-installation of the cybersecurity app Sanchar Saathi on smartphones by manufacturers.

The Department of Telecom said that it is removing the order mandating installation of the Sanchar Saathi app, following a 10-fold jump in voluntary app downloads in just one day.

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“The number of users has been increasing rapidly, and the mandate to install the app was meant to accelerate this process and make the app available to less aware citizens easily.

“Just in the last one day, 6 lakh citizens have registered for downloading the app, which is a 10x increase in its uptake. Given Sanchar Saathi’s increasing acceptance, the Government has decided not to make the pre-installation mandatory for mobile manufacturers,” the DoT said in a statement.

In the November 28 order, the DoT directed smartphone makers to pre-install the app on all new devices and push it through updates on older ones. The order led to controversy with opposition leaders raising snooping concerns, saying the app could listen to calls and monitor messages.