It seems that Apple is in no mood to comply with the orders of the Union government after it confidentially instructed phone companies to preload the government’s cyber-safety app, Sanchar Saathi, sources said. The opposition parties opposed the move over apprehensions of surveillance.
According to a report published by Reuters, the government has asked Apple, Samsung and Xiaomi to equip their phones with the Sanchar Saathi app within 90 days. The app is meant for security purposes, such as tracking and blocking a phone if it is stolen, and preventing its misuse.
The Centre also asked phone manufacturers to make sure that the app is not disabled. It further instructed companies to push the app through a software update for phone sets already in the supply chain, the news agency reported.
The Ministry of Telecommunication confirmed the development, citing it as a safety measure to tackle cyber-security threats. But opposition parties launched a scathing attack on the government, saying that the move will give access to over 730 million smartphones.
Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia clarified on the issue, stating that users can delete the app if they do not wish to have it.
Union Telecommunications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia posted on X, “Digital security of every citizen of the country is our topmost priority. The objective of the ‘Sanchar Saathi’ app is to enable each individual to protect their privacy and stay safe from online fraud.
This is a completely voluntary and democratic system-users may choose to activate the app and avail its benefits, or if they do not wish to, they can easily delete it from their phone at any time.”
