India telecom ministry has instructed smartphone manufacturers to pre-install a government-run cybersecurity app on all new devices, as per order. This action raises concerns about data privacy and user consent in one of the largest handset markets in the world.
India government mandate Sanchar Saathi app installation
The Ministry of Communications issued the order and require smartphone makers to install the government’s “Sanchar Saathi” app on all new devices within 90 days and prevent users from deleting it. The order also mandates manufacturers to push the app to older models through a software update, extending the requirement beyond devices currently on the market.
The ministry said that the app, which is available to India’s 1.2 billion smartphone users, is crucial for preventing the misuse of telecom resources for cyber fraud and ensuring telecom cybersecurity. However, privacy advocates argue that this order undermines user privacy and consent.
About Sanchar Saathi app
The “Sanchar Saathi” app, launched in India in January, was designed to help users block and track lost or stolen phones and identify and shut down fraudulent mobile connections. Since its release, it has garnered over 5 million downloads and has helped recover more than 700,000 lost devices, according to government data.
Pahwa expressed concern that the app’s purpose could eventually broaden, giving authorities more power to access device status. He noted that the order also removes user consent as an option. “Phones are our personal spaces. We should have a choice about what we keep on them. Here, the government is taking away that choice,” he argued.
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