Post by : Meena Ariff

The Indian government has mandated that smartphone manufacturers, such as Apple, Samsung, and Xiaomi, preload the Sanchar Saathi (Communication Partner) app on all newly released devices within the next 90 days. Additionally, the directive requires the app to be installed on existing smartphones via software updates and ensures that users cannot disable it.

This application aims to track and prevent the misuse of stolen phones, according to Communications Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, who stated in parliament, “We are willing to amend the order following the feedback we receive.”

However, this initiative has sparked significant backlash. Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala challenged the legality of enforcing a non-removable app, demanding a parliamentary discussion on associated privacy and security issues. “The serious concern is that a compulsory app might harbor vulnerabilities, risking user data and privacy,” he expressed.

Apple is reportedly resistant to comply, citing global privacy and security issues tied to its iOS ecosystem. Experts note that such an order is unusual, drawing parallels with Russia’s recent directive requiring a state-sanctioned messaging app to be pre-installed on devices.

This order has sparked intense public discourse, with politicians and privacy advocates evaluating its merits. Critics express worries about surveillance, privacy invasion, and the potential long-term effects on individual liberties.

Despite the ongoing debate, downloads of the Sanchar Saathi app rose by 13% on Monday, with market intelligence indicating 78,000 downloads per day, a notable increase from the previous day.

This situation mirrors a previous significant privacy debate during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration. In 2020, a contact-tracing app related to COVID-19 faced criticism and later modifications following privacy concerns.

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