New Delhi: India’s main opposition party has raised strong concerns in Parliament over the government’s order requiring smartphone makers to pre install the Sanchar Saathi cyber safety app on all new devices sold in the country. The Congress party said the move could violate the privacy of millions of citizens and demanded a full debate in the upper house.
The government has said the app is meant to protect users from cyber fraud, identify fake mobile connections and help block stolen phones. The Ministry of Communications stated that the app supports national security and cyber safety and is not designed to track or monitor people.
However, the opposition argued that forcing an app onto phones without user consent sets a worrying precedent. Congress leaders said the mandate lacked legal clarity and could give the government access to sensitive personal information stored on phones.
The issue has also drawn reactions from the technology industry. Reports indicate that Apple has privately expressed concern about the order and is unlikely to comply, citing user privacy as a priority. Other smartphone companies have not made their positions public yet.
Following public criticism and political pressure, the government later clarified that the app would remain optional and users could choose to uninstall or not activate it.
Digital rights groups say the situation highlights the growing debate in India over privacy, data protection and government access to personal devices. They also pointed out that India’s fast expanding smartphone market makes the impact of such mandates significant.
The matter is expected to be discussed further in Parliament, and more clarity may come once technology companies respond officially to the government’s directive.