India Drops Mandatory App Pre-Installation After Backlash

India Backs Down on Mandatory Smartphone App

Following significant opposition and escalating privacy concerns, India has withdrawn its plan to compel smartphone manufacturers to preinstall a government application on all devices. The initial proposal sparked worries about expanded state access to user data and potential compromises to individual privacy.

Voluntary App Status Reinstated

The Indian telecom ministry announced on Wednesday that the Sanchar Saathi app, designed for anti-theft measures and cybersecurity, will remain optional. Manufacturers will no longer be obligated to preload the application onto devices sold within the country.

This decision effectively nullifies a directive issued to manufacturers the previous week, which had mandated the app’s inclusion and the prevention of feature deactivation. The original mandate quickly generated substantial debate regarding privacy and governmental authority.

Government Rationale for the Change

“Considering the growing acceptance of Sanchar Saathi, the government has decided against making its pre-installation mandatory for mobile manufacturers,” stated the ministry’s announcement.

Despite this declaration, an official notification to smartphone manufacturers confirming the withdrawal has not yet been released. Sources within the industry indicate that manufacturers are awaiting formal instructions.

App Usage and Impact

Launched in January 2025, Sanchar Saathi has accumulated 14 million downloads to date. The Indian government reports that the app contributes to the identification of approximately 2,000 cyber-fraud incidents daily.

The recent controversy surrounding the mandate actually increased interest in the platform, with around 600,000 citizens registering to download the app on December 2nd alone.

Conflicting Statements and Concerns

The telecom ministry’s announcement followed a period of ambiguity regarding the app’s voluntary nature, despite initial government claims. Telecom minister Jyotiraditya Scindia previously asserted that users could uninstall Sanchar Saathi at any time.

However, the circulated directive to manufacturers explicitly stated that the app’s functionalities “must not be disabled or restricted,” creating conflicting signals.

This discrepancy fueled criticism suggesting the government was attempting to minimize the scope of its mandate. Opponents cautioned that mandating a government app on all smartphones and preventing its deactivation would grant authorities excessive access to user devices.

Industry Concerns and Apple's Absence

The directive also prompted concerns within the smartphone industry, with manufacturers privately questioning the enforceability of a permanent, system-level app without robust legal justification.

Deputy telecom minister Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar revealed in interviews that Apple did not participate in the working group established for this initiative, while other smartphone manufacturers were involved.

App Performance and User Engagement

According to marketing intelligence firm Sensor Tower, Sanchar Saathi had over 3 million monthly active users in November. Web traffic to the app’s platform has also increased significantly, with monthly unique visitors rising by more than 49% year-over-year, as reported by Sensor Tower.

Digital Rights Group Response

The Internet Freedom Foundation, a New Delhi-based digital rights organization, hailed the reversal as a “welcome development.” However, they emphasized the need for caution, awaiting the official legal order that should accompany the announcement.

The group advocated for “cautious optimism, not closure,” until revised directions under the Cyber Security Rules, 2024, are published and independently verified.

Ongoing Ecosystem Developments

Other components of the Sanchar Saathi ecosystem are continuing to evolve. Recommerce and trade-in platforms are still required to validate devices using a central IMEI database.

Furthermore, the telecom ministry is currently testing an API that could enable these platforms to directly submit customer and device information to the government.