Sanchar Saathi App Row: India’s Phone Mandate Sparks Privacy Battle, Apple Pushback and Congress Fury
India’s government has ordered smartphone makers to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi cyber-safety app on all new devices and push it to existing phones, according to a leaked directive. Opposition leaders called the move unconstitutional, while Apple indicated it would not comply. Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said the app is optional and can be deleted. Non-compliance could trigger penalties under telecom laws.