Sanchar Saathi app can be deleted: Centre

NEW DELHI: The central government has clarified that although the cybersecurity app Sanchar Saathi, developed by the Department of Telecommunications, will come pre-installed on new smartphones, users who do not need it can delete it. The government also said there is no requirement for consumers to use the app. “Those who do not need it do not have to activate it,” Union Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said.

"Many mobile phones come with several pre-installed apps, including Google Maps. Does everyone use all those apps? People can disable the ones they don’t need. This is the same,” the minister added. His clarification came after reports claimed that the Sanchar Saathi app could not be removed from phones.

Opposition parties had criticised the move, saying it was the first time India was making a pre-installed app mandatory and alleged it was intended for citizen surveillance. Sanchar Saathi is an app that helps locate lost phones and prevent the use of fake mobile devices.

Cannot allow pre-installation, says Apple
Apple stated that Sanchar Saathi cannot be pre-installed on iPhones because it affects user privacy. The company said it would inform the government of this decision. Apple also clarified that the government had not consulted them before taking the decision. Apple had earlier clarified that it would oppose the global anti-trust penalty rules that set fines based on worldwide revenue.

“Many people don’t even know such an app exists to prevent fraud. That is why we suggested pre-installation.”
- Jyotiraditya Scindia, Union Telecom Minister