After facing a massive backlash for mandating the pre-installation of the Sanchar Saathi app on mobile phones intended for use in India, the government on Wednesday walked back its directions to phone manufacturers and importers. In an official statement, the Ministry of Communications said, “Given Sanchar Saathi’s increasing acceptance, the Government has decided not to make the pre-installation mandatory for mobile manufacturers.”

“An infringement on fundamental right to privacy”

The reversal caps a turbulent episode that came after many called out the mandate order as an infringement on a citizen’s fundamental right to privacy. While speaking in Lok Sabha on Wednesday, Union telecom minister Jyotiraditya Scindia clarified over snooping intent, saying “Snooping is neither possible, nor

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