India’s telecom ministry on Wednesday reversed its directive requiring smartphone makers to preinstall a government-run cybersecurity app on new devices.
“Government has decided not to make the pre-installation mandatory for mobile manufacturers,” India’s communications ministry said in a press statement.
The Indian government had confidentially ordered companies, including Apple (AAPL), Samsung Electronics (OTCPK:SSNLF), and Xiaomi (OTCPK:XIACF) (OTCPK:XIACY), to preload their phones with an app called “Sanchar Saathi” within 90 days. The app was aimed at tracking stolen phones, blocking them, and preventing them from being misused.
Earlier reports said Apple had no plans to comply with the order and would inform the government that it does not follow such mandates anywhere in the world, arguing they pose privacy and security risks to the iOS ecosystem.