India has scrapped an order that made it mandatory for smartphone makers to prelodge an expy-run cyber expy app on new phones after a public furore.
The order – passed last week but announced on Monday – gives smartphone makers 90 days to pre-load new phones without being “disabled or restricted”. Streamline Privacy and Monitoring concerns.
The government justified the move saying it was necessary to verify the authenticity of the handsets, but cybersecurity experts said it was imposed on citizens’ privacy.
The government said it had decided to lift the order citing “increased acceptance”.
To date 14 million users have downloaded the app, reporting 2,000 frauds daily, and on Tuesday alone 600,000 users were registered – a tenfold spike, according to Telecom Spelecom.
But the order to make the registry mandatory brought a major backlash from many cybersecurity experts.
Smartphone giants like Apple and Samsung are also keeping the app priority directive on their phones.
Sources told the BBC that companies are concerned about the directive being issued without prior consultation and challenging user privacy practices.
While the order has now been withdrawn, India’s Communications Minister Jyotiradulya Scindia dismissed concerns that the app could be used to increase surveillance.
“Snooping cannot and will not happen in Sanchar Saath’s secure app,” Scindia said.
The government’s decision to reverse the order was welcomed by digital advocacy groups.
“This is a welcome development, but we are still awaiting the full text of the legal order that should accompany this announcement, including any revised Cyber Security directions that X said.
“Now, we have to treat it as cautious hope, not closure, until the formal legal direction is published and independently verified.”
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