New Delhi, Dec. 3 -- The Central government has withdrawn its earlier directive that required all mobile manufacturers to pre install the Sanchar Saathi app on new devices.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 government has decided not to make the pre installation of the Sanchar Saathi app mandatory for all mobile manufacturers due to 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 decision comes after backlash by the opposition in Parliament, with snooping concerns raised due to the app's permissions list, which includes access to messages and phone calls.

The Department...