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Podcast: In Focus by The Hindu
Episode: Sanchar Saathi episode: Is India lowering expectations on consent and privacy?
Description: Earlier this week, the Department of Telecommunications ordered smartphone manufacturers to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app on all new devices. It also told them to ensure that the app’s functionalities are not disabled. It said this would protect users from cyber-fraud and phone theft.
But within two days, the government revoked this order. It justified the withdrawal by citing a surge in acceptance of the app.
But the revocation was preceded by a tremendous pushback against the original order – from digital rights activists as well as the Opposition. They said it was an attempt to v...