Privacy Concerns, Apple and Samsung’s Non-Compliance: Why the Centre Withdrew Mandatory Pre-Installation of Sanchar Saathi

Kokila Chokkanathan
The Government of India recently announced that it is withdrawing the mandate requiring all smartphones to come with pre-installed Sanchar Saathi app. This decision comes after growing concerns about privacy, security, and compliance issues.

1. Background of Sanchar Saathi

· Sanchar Saathi is a government app designed to allow users to verify mobile connections linked to their Aadhaar number.

· It aims to help consumers track SIM cards issued in their name and reduce identity fraud.

2. Reasons Behind the Withdrawal

a) Privacy Concerns

· Cybersecurity experts and privacy advocates raised alarms about user data security.

· Pre-installation could allow unauthorized access to personal information on smartphones.

b) Non-Compliance by Smartphone Manufacturers

· Major companies like Apple and Samsung reportedly did not comply with the mandate.

· Technical and policy hurdles made it difficult to enforce mandatory installation on all devices.

c) Public Backlash

· Opposition parties and civil society groups criticized the mandate as intrusive and a potential violation of privacy rights.

· Users expressed concerns over constant monitoring and data collection without explicit consent.

3. Implications of the Withdrawal

· Users will no longer be forced to have the app pre-installed on their phones.

· Adoption of Sanchar Saathi will now likely be voluntary, reducing privacy risks.

· The decision emphadata-sizes the need for balance between security measures and individual privacy.

4. Expert Recommendations

· Voluntary usage should be promoted through awareness campaigns.

· Data security protocols must be strengthened to protect users who choose to install the app.

· Future mandates should consider technological feasibility and privacy implications.

Conclusion
The Centre’s withdrawal of the mandatory pre-installation of Sanchar Saathi highlights the importance of privacy and voluntary adoption in wallet PLATFORM' target='_blank' title='digital-Latest Updates, Photos, Videos are a click away, CLICK NOW">digital initiatives. While the app has potential to prevent SIM fraud, its success now depends on user trust and secure implementation.

 

Disclaimer:

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