Centre takes BIG step, withdraws its order on Sanchar Saathi app, it will no longer be…

The central government has withdrawn its November 28 order, which required smartphone companies to sell phones with the Sanchar Saathi app pre-installed. This decision sparked a nationwide debate about privacy and freedom. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) had asked for compliance within 90 days, and a compliance report was to be submitted to DoT within 120 days. Now, the government has decided to keep the Sanchar Saathi app voluntary rather than mandatory, as people are rapidly adopting it.

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) on December 1, i.e., Monday, directed all manufacturers to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi application on their phones. The department suggests that this step will safeguard the users in case they lose their phones. In addition, it will block access and protect the device from malicious usage. The order directed the companies to ensure the application couldn’t be deleted. However, Apple has refused to follow this order.

What’s the order of DoT?

The order issued by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) states that smartphone manufacturers must pre-install the Sanchar Saathi application on their phones. For this, they were given a time period of 90 days. This will help in tracking the phone if lost and block access to avoid malicious usage. It will also aid in reducing the cyber fraud. Another order of the DoT for companies is to ensure the application can’t be deleted.

What’s Apple saying?

Now that the companies have to take an action. Out of the major brands, Apple has refused to abide by this rule. It’s because Apple’s security and privacy may get harmed, as its iOS system is highly closed. As per a report by Reuters, the company mentioned that it doesn’t abide by such a rule in any country of the world. The company fears that if forceful installation of this government application is done, the devices may become prone to easy hacking, risking the data of users.