India scrapped its order mandating pre-installation of a cybersecurity app on mobile phones after concerns raised by public and opposition parties over invasion of privacy and surveillance.
The Ministry of Communications had earlier ordered phone makers and importers to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app, which it said was aimed at curbing cyber fraud. The directive, dated Nov. 28, instructed firms to ensure the app is pre-installed on new phones and ensure that its functionalities are not disabled or restricted.
“Government has decided not to make the pre-installation mandatory for mobile manufacturers,” the Ministry of Communications said in a statement Wednesday. ...