Summary
India canceled a rule that required smartphone makers to include a government cyber safety app on new phones after public backlash over privacy concerns. The app was initially meant to help verify phones' authenticity, but many people worried it violated privacy rights. The Indian government reported high user adoption of the app and denied any intentions of increased surveillance.
Key Facts
- India initially ordered smartphone makers to pre-load the Sanchar Saathi app on new devices.
- The order was announced last week and made public on Monday.
- The app aimed to verify the authenticity of handsets but raised privacy concerns.
- The mandatory rule led to a strong backlash from cybersecurity experts and companies like Apple and Samsung.
- The government claimed 14 million users have downloaded the app and reported substantial frauds daily.
- 600,000 new users registered for the app on a single day.
- India’s Minister of Communications stated the app would not be used for surveillance.
- Digital advocacy groups welcomed the decision to cancel the order but await detailed legal instructions.
