New Delhi/IBNS, Dec. 1 -- The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has directed smartphone manufacturers operating in India to preinstall a government-developed cybersecurity app, 'Sanchar Saathi', on all devices sold in the country.

According to reports, the government has further instructed the phone makers that users must not be able to uninstall the app once it is installed.

The mandate requires the app to be bundled with every new smartphone sold in India, while existing devices must receive it through a software update.

Neither the DoT nor smartphone makers responded to queries on the matter.

A senior government official described the order as part of a broader push to bolster "cybersecurity and anti-spam measures."

This effo...