New Delhi, Dec. 3 -- The Central government has withdrawn its earlier directive that required all mobile manufacturers to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app on new devices. In a statement, the Ministry of Communications said that the Central government has decided not to make the pre-installation of the Sanchar Saathi app mandatory for all mobile manufacturers over its "increasing acceptance."

"Given Sanchar Saathi's increasing acceptance, Government has decided not to make the pre- installation mandatory for mobile manufacturers," the ministry said.

The Government with an intent to provide access to cyber security to all citizens had mandated pre-installation of Sanchar Saathi app on all smartphones. The app is secure and purely meant ...