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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
Hannah Ellis-Petersen in Delhi

India revokes order to preload smartphones with state-owned security app

Samsung mobile phones are displayed for sale at an electronics store in India with three men looking at phones in the background
Internet privacy groups and political opposition had raised concerns that the app could be used as a mass surveillance tool. Photograph: Firdous Nazir/NurPhoto/Shutterstock

India’s government has backtracked on an order for all smartphones to be pre-installed with a state-owned security app after a mass outcry over privacy concerns and refusal by technology companies to comply.

The department of telecommunications confirmed it had revoked its previous order for all technology companies to mandatorily install the government’s Sanchar Saathi cybersecurity app on to every smartphone in India within 90 days.

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