Sanchar Saathi preload order: Apple pushes back against mandate; Govt says app can be deleted

Union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Tuesday said the Sanchar Saathi app, a fraud reporting app the government wants preinstalled on all devices, can be deleted by users.

- Baljit Singh Brar

Users could decide to keep the Sanchar Saathi app or delete it, Scindia told reporters on Tuesday. The Department of Telecom has directed manufacturers and importers of mobile handsets to ensure that its fraud reporting app, Sanchar Saathi, is preinstalled on all new devices and installed via a software update on existing handsets. According to the direction dated November 28, all mobile phones that will be manufactured in India or imported after 90 days from the date of issuing of the order would need to have the app. All mobile phone companies are required to report compliance to the DoT within 120 days. "If you want to delete it, then delete it. But not everyone in the country knows that this app exists to protect them from fraud and theft," Scindia said. Union minister for communications further note