Aadhaar all over again? Sanchar Saathi app mandate sets off privacy concerns

The Department of Telecommunications’ directive that every smartphone come pre-installed with the app follows a familiar pattern of ‘optional’ tools that turn mandatory in practice. On Monday, the government disclosed a directive issued by the Department of Telecommunications on 28 November, instructing smartphone manufacturers and importers to preload its Sanchar Saathi app on every new device. It’s a decision that has drawn criticism from various quarters and set off a number of concerns. “The [recently-enforced Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act] indicates consent must be free and not forced,” says Tony Verghese, partner at JSA. “So, if users have no real choice, it amounts to indirect compulsion.” Read more