India Revokes Cybersecurity App Mandate After Massive Backlash

India has revoked a mandate to download a cyber safety app on all smartphones after massive backlash and suspicions of government spying and other issues.

Several days ago, India announced that they would be mandating the addition of Sanchar Saathi to all smartphones, new and existing. Sanchar Saathi, a state-owned cybersecurity application, had been growing in popularity, and the Indian government soon decided to mandate it to increase cyber safety among the people of India.

Specifically, the government stated that they needed to handle the problem of tampering with the International Mobile Equipment Identity, or IMEI. Each device contains its own unique IMEI, and Sanchar Saathi allows users to block or track a lost or stolen devices using the IMEI.

The app also allows users to prevent other forms of fraud and cheating, like identifying the phone numbers of scammers and reporting any sort of fraudulent communication, along with verifying the authenticity of a used device before purchasing it.

After seeing the app's success, the government told all smartphone companies – including Apple, Samsung, and Xiaomi – to pre-install the app on all future phones sold in India and disable its deletion. Meanwhile, on existing phones, the companies would need to download the app using a software update.

However, the move sparked massive backlash, forcing them to revoke the mandate just days later. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's opposition quickly denounced the mandate as a way to gain access to the country's 700 million smartphones, raising the potential for future spying on citizens.

Additionally, before the mandate was taken back, Apple confirmed that they would not comply with the new order, as it would violate the privacy guarantees that they provide to each of their customers.

The app's supporters in Parliament argued that the app can still be deleted – which remains true – despite their original mandate that instructed smartphone companies to disable any restrictions or the deletion of the application. Modi's side established that keeping the app is completely optional and it would only benefit the people, but much of the population still resisted the mandate.

Following the backlash, the government decided to rescind the mandate, claiming that the installation of Sanchar Saathi was already on the rise. They confirmed that over 14 million users have already downloaded the app, and it is already seeing over 2,000 fraudulent claims per day. They have also reasserted that the app has no other purpose than to increase cyber safety for the citizens, and it does not function until a user registers after downloading it.

While the mandate has been revoked, the heightened awareness for Sanchar Saathi could assist India in their fight against fraud and cyber threats, which are becoming more and more prevalent as devices gain traction across the country.

Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): The longest unbroken alliance in world history is between England and Portugal. It has lasted since 1386, when the Treaty of Windsor was signed, and still stands today.

Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): Discouragement and failure are two of the surest stepping stones to success. (Dale Carnegie)

Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Cajole (verb, kuh-JOHL) - To cajole someone is to use flattery or gentle urging to persuade them to do something or to give you something. Cajole can also mean “to deceive with soothing words or false promises.” It is often used with the word into.

In a Sentence: She cajoled her partner into going to the party with her.

Image credit to Sanchar Saathi