Wed Dec 03 09:57:56 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing the text:
Government Backtracks on Mandatory Cybersecurity App Pre-Installation Amid Privacy Concerns
New Delhi: The government has withdrawn its order mandating smartphone manufacturers to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi cybersecurity app on all devices sold in India. The move comes after significant backlash from opposition leaders and civil rights activists who raised concerns about potential privacy violations and the possibility of government surveillance.
The government, in a statement released Wednesday afternoon, stated the decision to roll back the mandate was influenced by the rapidly increasing number of app downloads, with over six lakh new users in the past 24 hours. Officials had initially intended for pre-installation to accelerate adoption.
The original directive faced fierce criticism, with opponents drawing parallels to the 2021 Pegasus spyware scandal and questioning the app’s potential for misuse. Apple was also reportedly preparing a legal challenge. The decision signals a possible shift in the government’s approach to promoting cybersecurity awareness.
First Piper 