Government Withdraws Order: ‘Sanchar Saathi’ App No Longer Mandatory on Smartphones

The Modi government has withdrawn its 28 November directive that required all smartphone manufacturers to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app on devices sold in India. The decision sparked widespread debate over privacy and user freedom, as companies and consumers raised concerns about mandatory installation.

Earlier, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) had asked companies to comply within 90 days and submit a report within 120 days. Following the backlash, the government has now made the app optional, citing its growing popularity among users.

Since the directive, millions of people have already downloaded the app voluntarily. Reports indicate that around 1.4 crore users have installed it, with nearly 2,000 cyber fraud cases being reported daily through the platform. Apple, in particular, had refused to comply, citing user privacy and company policy against pre-installed apps.

The government’s revised approach emphasizes voluntary adoption, allowing users to install or remove the app at their discretion while maintaining its growing role in combating cybercrime.