The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has revoked its order directing smartphone companies to mandatorily preload the state-owned Sanchar Saathi application , days after it sparked concerns around privacy and potential surveillance.

“Given Sanchar Saathi’s increasing acceptance, Government has decided not to make the pre- installation mandatory for mobile manufacturers,” the Ministry of Communications said in a press release Wednesday.

The initial order, issued by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) on November 28, directed smartphone manufacturers and importers to preinstall the Sanchar Saathi applications on new phones, and also on old phones by means of a software update. The functions of the app can not be disabled or restricted, it said. Sanchar Saathi is a state-d

See Full Page