Sanchar Saathi episode: Is India lowering expectations on consent and privacy?

In Focus by The Hindu · Dec 5, 2025 · 32m

Earlier this week, the Department of Telecommunications ordered smartphone manufacturers to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app on all new devices. It also told them to ensure that the app’s functionalities are not disabled. It said this would protect users from cyber-fraud and phone theft.

But within two days, the government revoked this order. It justified the withdrawal by citing a surge in acceptance of the app.

But the revocation was preceded by a tremendous pushback against the original order – from digital rights activists as well as the Opposition. They said it was an attempt to vastly…