Privacy concern over Centre’s call to pre-install new smartphones with government cybersecurity app

The department of telecom has asked all major smartphone makers to pre-install new devices with a government cybersecurity app called Sanchar Saathi, which cannot be deleted or disabled. Manufacturers have 90 days to comply with the directive, Reuters has reported.

The order, which has not been made public and was sent privately to smartphone manufacturers, requires the app to be delivered via a software update if the devices are already in the supply chain.