India revokes order to preload govt app after outcry
The Indian government has rescinded an order requiring smartphone manufacturers to pre-install a state-run cybersecurity app on all new devices, following an outcry from politicians, privacy advocates and global tech companies over surveillance fears.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government on November 28 had specifically told companies such as Apple, Samsung and Xiaomi to install an undeletable app called Sanchar Saathi on new phones within 90 days, Reuters was first to report on Monday.
“The government has decided not to make pre-installation mandatory for mobile manufacturers,” India’s communications ministry said at a press conference. expression on Wednesday.
The move comes after protests from opposition parties on the issue, while newspaper editorials joined privacy advocates in condemning the move.
The government is also at loggerheads with phone manufacturers as Apple and Samsung plan to disobey the directive, sources said.
Just a day earlier, government ministers had defended the plan, saying the app not only helps track and block stolen phones and prevents their misuse, but also fended off criticism over instructions asking smartphone companies to ensure the app cannot be disabled.
The U-turn follows a reversal on laptop import licensing policy last year after US officials lobbied to require companies to obtain licenses to ship them.
“India’s highly unpredictable regulatory framework presents ongoing challenges for businesses that value predictability,” said Mishi Choudhary, a technology lawyer who works on internet advocacy issues.
“This is a welcome move, but arbitrary policy decisions made without any analysis of what works effectively to prevent fraud are worrying.”
The government said it backtracked because the app gained popularity without acting.
It was stated that 600,000 citizens have downloaded the application since Tuesday.
“The app is secure and only aims to assist citizens against bad actors in the cyber world,” the government said in a statement.
Earlier on Wednesday, senior Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala, in a memorandum to parliament, said the government should clarify the legal power to “mandate an app that cannot be removed” and called for debate on privacy and security risks.
“At the same time, the serious, serious and real concern is that such a compulsorily installed application may have a backdoor, thereby definitely compromising the user’s data and privacy,” he added.
According to industry sources, Modi’s plan had little precedent.
Russia may be the only known example.
In August, authorities in Moscow ordered the pre-installation on all mobile phones and tablets of a state-backed messaging app called MAX, a rival to WhatsApp that critics said could be used to track users.
Modi has previously faced criticism over privacy issues.
In 2020, his government faced criticism over a COVID-19 contact tracing app that office workers were required to use.
This measure was later diluted with a request after privacy advocates protested.
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