New Delhi – India’s government amended on Wednesday an order that required phone makers to pre-install a government-run cyber security app, after it sparked uproar over privacy concerns.
The initial order gave rise to widespread concerns that the app might be used for surveillance, and that it could not be removed.
Communications minister Jyotiraditya Scindia told parliament on Wednesday that using the app was voluntary.
“I can delete it like any other app, as every citizen has this right in a democracy,” he said.
“Snooping is not possible through the app, nor will it ever be.”
The government had said the app was designed to allow users to block and track lost or stolen phones.
Modi government has withdrawn the order that would have made the Sanchar Saathi app mandatory to be pre installed on phones.@narendramodi must apologise to the nation for attempting to invade the right to privacy of our citizens. We will not tolerate snooping or a surveillance… pic.twitter.com/ZGk0DGOYx3
— Dr. Shama Mohamed (@drshamamohd) December 3, 2025
It also lets them identify and disconnect fake mobile subscriptions made in their name, among other functions.
Government figures show the app has already helped trace more than 2.6 million phones.
Advocacy group Internet Freedom Foundation welcomed the latest decision.
“For now, we should treat this as cautious optimism, not closure, until the formal legal direction is published and independently confirmed,” the group said in a post on social media.
Hours before the government rollback, lawmakers debated the move, with opponents of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government raising concerns over the pre-installation of the app.
“Even after the app is disabled, users will not be able to know whether all its features have been disabled or not,” Deepender Singh Hooda from the Congress party said in parliament.
“In such a situation, this issue is surrounded by concerns of violation of the right to privacy and suspicions of spying.”
Congratulations India 🤣
Modi govt withdraws its own order to spy on citizens!
They wanted to forcefully pre-install the ‘Sathi App’ on every phone — basically a pocket-spy.Media + BJP IT Cell were busy giving “gyaan”, making videos, and debating in favour of it!
Aaj sab chup pic.twitter.com/fTKESlLQEJ— Fiza 🇮🇳 (@hoorsheikh_fiza) December 3, 2025
His colleague Randeep Singh Surjewala said the app “could be a possible kill switch that can turn every cell phone into a brick, which the government could use against journalists, opposition leaders, and dissidents, if it so desires”.
Surjewala also warned against the risk of hacking, which could “expose sensitive information, including passwords, bank account numbers and personal data”.
In August, Russia issued a similar directive ordering manufacturers to include a new messaging platform called Max on all new phones and tablets, but rights advocates warned the app could be used as a powerful surveillance tool.
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Source: AFP
