India Lets Users Delete Pre-Installed Gov’t App After Backlash
- ByStartupStory | December 3, 2025
Sanchar Saathi Mandate Revoked Amid Privacy Outrage Over Snooping Fears
India’s government has reversed its controversial directive mandating smartphone manufacturers to pre-install the state-owned Sanchar Saathi cybersecurity app on all new devices, following intense backlash from opposition parties, privacy advocates, and tech firms over surveillance risks and user rights violations. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) issued the order on November 28, requiring compliance within 90 days and prohibiting app functions from being disabled, but withdrew it on December 3 after widespread criticism.
Sanchar Saathi, launched in January 2025, helps users verify IMEI numbers, report lost/stolen phones (recovering 700,000+ units), block fraudulent connections (3.7 million+), and combat telecom scams (2,000 daily reports). Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia defended it as a “voluntary, citizen-participation safety platform,” noting 14 million downloads and 600,000 new registrations on December 2 alone—a 10x surge post-controversy.
Rapid U-Turn After Opposition, Privacy Storm
The initial mandate—circulated privately to Apple, Samsung, Vivo, Xiaomi, and others—sparked immediate uproar. Opposition leaders like Priyanka Gandhi labeled it a “snooping app,” drawing Pegasus spyware parallels, while Internet Freedom Foundation warned of root-level access eroding app isolation and enabling non-consensual surveillance. Apple resisted citing privacy principles, and manufacturers awaited formal revocation.
DoT clarified: “Given Sanchar Saathi’s increasing acceptance, pre-installation is no longer mandatory.” Scindia emphasized user choice: “Citizens may activate or delete anytime—in a democracy, authority rests with people.” PIB affirmed it’s “of the people, for the people,” with no snooping capabilities, focusing solely on fraud prevention.
Balancing Security With Privacy Rights
The episode highlights tensions between national cybersecurity (amid 1.2 billion subscribers and rising scams) and digital rights. Critics demanded open-source code, minimal permissions, and independent audits; supporters noted its track record in disconnecting 4 million+ fraudulent lines.
Manufacturers must now push updates voluntarily for existing devices. Global implications: similar mandates face resistance elsewhere, but India’s scale amplifies stakes.
Broder Context Of Digital Safety Push
This follows RBI’s fintech scrutiny and data localization drives. Sanchar Saathi’s voluntary pivot preserves utility while addressing concerns, potentially boosting organic adoption. As cyber threats evolve, the saga underscores participatory security’s role—empowering users without compulsion—in India’s digital transformation.
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