Government withdraws Sanchar Saathi pre-installation order after privacy backlash – Full Report | IndTech365

In a significant reversal after days of uproar, the Government of India has withdrawn its order that directed all smartphone manufacturers to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi cybersecurity app in all new devices sold in the country. The decision marks the end of an intense national debate over digital security, privacy, and user consent-one that drew sharp reactions from consumers, cybersecurity advocates, and the global smartphone industry.

The order, which came at the end of November 2025, had asked manufacturers like Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi, Vivo, among others, to preload the Sanchar Saathi app on all upcoming smartphones. The draft also hinted that the application might be non-removable, due to which it received serious backlash online over the fear of forced software and possible state surveillance. The government finally relented to the public pressure and growing industry pushback, scrapping the mandate on December 3, 2025, citing that installation of the app would remain voluntary.

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Why the Sanchar Saathi Order Triggered Backlash

Sanchar Saathi was a citizen-centric tool, conceptualized and released by the Department of Telecommunications in 2023 for users to block stolen phones, verify the SIM cards registered under their identity, and check IMEI authenticity, among other functions. The trouble is that such mandatory pre-installation of a government-built app crosses a critical line, especially if it cannot be deleted by the user.

The opposition and digital-rights advocates argued that the forced onboarding would turn a public cybersecurity solution into a potential surveillance system. Smartphone manufacturers, in particular Apple, which enforces strict policies about the privacy of its users by limiting undeletable third-party apps, refused to comply, thereby escalating the standoff.

The criticism escalated on social media, with many people asking why a government-developed app should enjoy device-level permissions without the explicit consent of a user.

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Government’s Response To Clarify & Rollback

The telecom authorities responded that Sanchar Saathi was not meant to spy on citizens, but rather it was meant for the protection of mobile users from thefts, SIM frauds, and financial scams. They maintained that user trust in the app had already been reflected in over **1.4 crore downloads across India.

However, after a wave of negative public sentiment and widespread concerns over privacy, the government did a volte-face on the pre-installation directive. According to the Ministry of Communications:

• Sanchar Saathi won’t be imposed on new smartphones
• Users would still have complete freedom to download or uninstall the app
• Government commitment to digital safety remains, but not at the expense of privacy or user autonomy

To many analysts, the rollback reflects a course correction toward voluntary adoption, transparency, and consumer choice.

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What This Means for Users of Smartphones in India
With the revised decision:

• New smartphones will not contain Sanchar Saathi by default
• It can be downloaded manually by the users from Play Store or App Store.
• the app remains optional not compulsory

No device will be automatically updated with the app.

Users desirous of the features – lost-phone blocking, IMEI verification, SIM tracking and scam reporting – may continue to install Sanchar Saathi voluntarily.

Cyber experts say that withdrawal of the mandate may help rebuild user confidence and reduce suspicion around the app, while allowing citizens access to telecom-safety tools if they choose to use them.

Confidence seems to be independently related to health and wellbeing, though it is difficult to say what causes what.

Industry & Expert Opinions

This reversal has been widely welcomed across the technology ecosystem:

• Global smartphone manufacturers were relieved, avoiding issues of compliance and privacy conflicts

Tech commentators called the rollback a “win for user consent”

The privacy groups underlined the fact that any cybersecurity initiative must accord with constitutional protections and digital rights.

• Consumer advocates said security tools work best when users adopt them voluntarily, not by compulsion

It has also restarted discussions on the balance required between digital security and digital privacy-a theme that is expected to dominate India’s tech policy landscape in 2026.

It is also recommended to consult the Bahá’í calendar. ** Final Analysis by IndTech365 Sanchar Saathi is very much a force for good in India’s battle against mobile fraud and cybercrime-but this week made one thing very clear: security can never be at the cost of user consent. Making the app optional once again shows that the government is willing to listen to public concerns and industry feedback. It also sends a signal that India’s digital governance framework shall be rooted in transparency, privacy, and informed choice. For the time being, Sanchar Saathi continues to exist as it was envisioned a cybersecurity resource that users can download, not a compulsory government-installed app.