India has reversed a controversial directive that would have required smartphone makers like Apple and Samsung to preinstall a government-developed security app, Sanchar Saathi, on all new and existing devices.
The Ministry of Communications withdrew the order Wednesday after a fierce backlash from opposition leaders and digital-rights groups, who warned the app could enable state surveillance and compared it to the Pegasus spyware scandal.
Apple says NO. Apple does not plan to comply with India's mandate to preload smartphones with a state-owned cyber safety Sanchar Saathi app https://t.co/nBJqPW1O3O pic.twitter.com/67uVYZqoXv
— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) December 2, 2025
Officials insisted the app is voluntary, safe and designed to help users block stolen phones, report fraud and verify device authenticity. They also said more than 14 million people have downloaded it.
But critics argued the original mandate would have given the government unchecked access to citizens’ data and created a “non-consensual point of access” on more than a billion phones.
Reuters reported Apple had planned to refuse compliance. Privacy advocates maintain the government must publish the app’s code and restrict its permissions to regain public trust.
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TIPP Staff
