Government's Mandate on Sanchar Saathi App

The Indian government's directive for mobile handset manufacturers to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi application on all handsets is criticized for being poor governance and economically detrimental. This app is intended to bolster cyber security and anti-spam measures.

Concerns Raised

• Mandatory pre-installation of this app can lead to surveillance and privacy intrusion.
• Initially, the app was non-deletable, which sparked public outcry.
• Union Minister for Communications, later stated the app is "optional" and can be deleted, but concerns about user consent remain.

About the Sanchar Saathi App

• Launched in January, the app aids in: 
  • Reporting fraud communications and lost/stolen mobile devices.
  • Checking trusted contacts for banks and financial institutions.
• By August, the app had over 50 lakh downloads.
• It has contributed to blocking over 37.28 lakh lost or stolen devices and tracing 22.76 lakh devices.

Comparison with Other Digital Platforms

• India has successfully deployed digital platforms like DigiLocker and DigiYatra, which are widely used with user consent.
• These platforms are successful because they respect user consent, unlike the pre-installed Sanchar Saathi app.

Impact on Mobile Manufacturing

• India's mobile manufacturing is thriving, with significant contributions from companies like Apple.
• Mandatory app installation could hinder business ease and is opposed by manufacturers.
• 20% of global iPhone production capacity is based in India, bolstered by government incentives like the PLI scheme.

Recommendations

• The government should retract the pre-installation mandate to avoid legal challenges.
• Focus should shift to enhancing state capacity and public awareness about cyber crime.
• Promoting voluntary adoption of cyber safety tools is suggested as a better approach.