New Delhi: In a fresh notification Wednesday, the Ministry of Communications said that government has decided not to make pre-installation of Sanchar Saathi app mandatory for mobile manufacturers, citing an already “increasing acceptance” for it.
“The number of users has been increasing rapidly and the mandate to install the app was meant to accelerate this process and make the app available to less aware citizens easily. Just in last one day, 6 lakh citizens have registered for downloading the App which is a 10x increase in its uptake,” the notification read, adding that the organic growth in installation is a sign of “affirmation of faith by citizens” towards the app.
This comes after intense backlash over a Department of Telecommunications (DoT) order, dated 28 November, which had directed manufacturers and importers to pre-install the application on all smartphones “intended for use in India”, and ensure its “functionalities are not disabled or restricted”.
“In order to safeguard the citizens from buying the non-genuine handsets, enabling easy reporting of suspected misuse of telecom resources and to increase effectiveness of the Sanchar Saathi initiative, the DoT has issued (these) directions,” the Ministry of Communications had said Monday.
The order drew heavy criticism, with the Opposition alleging that the Centre intended to “snoop” on the country’s citizens via the app, and critics raising concerns over privacy and data sharing. The mandatory pre-installation directive prompted even tech majors Google and Apple to consider pushing back on the order.
Internet Freedom Foundation responds
Welcoming the withdrawal of the directive, the IIF, Indian digital rights advocacy organisation advised to treat it as “cautious optimism” until the full legal direction is published.
(Edited by Gitanjali Das)