India backs down on requiring smartphone makers to preinstall state-run app

"The scandal of the week in India was all about Sanchar Saathi, a state-developed and run app that the government last week decided to force all smartphone makers to preinstall on their devices, with a grace period of 90 days. Following substantial backlash from practically everywhere and everyone, the Indian government has today decided to back down. The Indian telecom ministry now says the app will remain voluntary and smartphone makers are no longer required to preinstall it."

"Government officials yesterday walked back some of the initial provisions of the order, saying that users were free to enjoy the benefits of the app or delete it from their phones if they didn't want anything to do with it, despite the fact that the order itself says device makers have to ensure that the app's "functionalities are not disabled or restricted"."

"So far, the Indian government hasn't officially communicated with smartphone makers telling them about the new change and the fact that they no longer have to preload Sanchar Saathi on their devices, but that will probably happen later today. The app was released in January and has amassed 14 million downloads thus far and had 3 million monthly active users in November. It's intended to report fraud, track stolen phones, block them, and prevent them from being misused."

India initially mandated that all smartphone makers preinstall Sanchar Saathi with a 90-day grace period, prompting widespread backlash from users and device manufacturers. Major companies such as Apple reportedly resisted the order. Government officials subsequently retreated and declared the app voluntary, removing the preinstallation requirement, though the original order had required that app functionalities not be disabled. Formal communication to manufacturers about the reversal had not been completed at the time of reporting. Sanchar Saathi, launched in January, has reached 14 million downloads and 3 million monthly active users; the app aims to report fraud, track and block stolen phones, and prevent misuse.

Read at GSMArena.com