Apple And Samsung Free, India Cancels Cyber Security Application Installation Order

India has canceled the rules for installing cybersecurity applications (photo: dock. YouTube screenshot of the Ministry of Communications India)

JAKARTA The Indian government revoked the mandate for installing cybersecurity applications on Wednesday, December 3. That way, mobile phone manufacturers are not required to return to install the application.

This decision was taken after the government faced criticism from various parties, including Apple. Not a few opposition politicians, privacy activists, and local companies criticized the regulation.

The mandate for installing cybersecurity applications was first issued on November 28, 2025. At that time, the government of the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, instructed the installation of a pre-load application called Sanchar Saathi.

The app targets large phone manufacturers in India such as Apple, Samsung, and Xiaomi. In the mandate issued, the company gets a 90-day deadline to load Sanchar Saathi and the app should not be removed.

However, after the Indian government received protests from various parties, this rule was overturned. In a statement, according to Reuters, India's Ministry of Communication said that, "The government has decided not to require pre-installation for mobile phone manufacturers."

Before the cancellation of this mandate was announced, Apple and Samsung reportedly did not want to comply with the rules. They are concerned about the safety of the app even though its claim this app can track stolen phones and prevent abuse.

Although this latest decision was welcomed by many parties, an internet advocacy technology lawyer named Mishi Choudhary highlighted this decision. According to him, it is very worrying for the government to make arbitrary policies without proper analysis.