After intense backlash, India pulls mandate to pre-install government app on smartphones

India’s telecom ministry has reversed a directive that would have required smartphone makers to preinstall the Sanchar Saathi anti-theft/cybersecurity app, amid backlash over privacy and state overreach, stating the app will remain voluntary. Despite high adoption metrics and a surge in registrations following the controversy, manufacturers await formal notification of the reversal. Digital rights groups urge caution until revised legal directions are issued, while related ecosystem measures—such as mandatory IMEI validation for recommerce platforms and a pilot API for submitting device/customer data—continue to progress.