Daily Briefing: Behind Sanchar Saathi backlash

🚨 Big Story

The government’s order to smartphone companies to pre-install the state-developed cybersecurity app, Sanchar Saathi, has caused quite an uproar, with the Opposition calling it a “Big Brother move”.

Push back: Firms like Apple and Google, which provide the most popular operating systems, iOS and Android, are planning to push back on the government’s order, according to industry sources. Besides privacy and surveillance issues, manufacturers also cite operational challenges as mandatory installation of the Sanchar Saathi app may require them to customise their OS for India. Some fear that following the Indian government’s order may set a precedent in other countries where the firms operate.

Key concerns: The app is used to report fraudulent communication and track and block lost or stolen mobile phones. However, this requires system-level access and permissions that fall under the “dangerous category”, such as the ability to read IMEI (unique identification code of mobile phones), take pictures, and access call logs. Notably, registration on the app happens “automatically” on Android devices, raising questions over user data, as the government has blanket exemptions under India’s Data Protection Act. Soumyarendra Barik explains in detail.

What next? The Union Minister of Communications, Jyotiraditya Scindia, has clarified that users were free to not register on the app and would be able to delete it. This contradicts the government’s November 28 order, which directed smartphone companies to ensure that the app’s functions are not “disabled” or “restricted”. A clarification on the same is awaited. Significantly, legal experts have noted that the mandate will likely fail the Supreme Court’s “three-fold constitutional test” laid down for any state intervention into privacy.

Read the Express View: Government forcing down Sanchar Saathi app erodes privacy, hurts business

⚡Only in Express

In cold blood: In October, at least five children with thalassemia tested positive for HIV after transfusions of infected blood. The contamination has been traced back to the blood bank attached to the 500-bed Chaibasa Sadar Hospital, the biggest health facility in Jharkhand’s West Singhbhum district. The Indian Express visited the homes of each of those affected to find families battling fear and stigma with little resources or support from the government. Read Shubham Tigga’s report.

📰 From the Front Page

In Parliament: Is the Winter Session finally safe from a wash-out? The government and the Opposition have agreed on each other’s demands for discussions in the House. The Lok Sabha will discuss the 150 years of Vande Matram on December 8, followed by a two-day-long debate on electoral reforms, including the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Hear, hear!

🎧 For more updates from Parliament, tune in to today’s ‘3 Things’ episode.

📌 Must Read

India is all set for Russian President Vladimir Putin’s two-day visit, starting tomorrow. This would be his first visit since the Ukraine war began in 2022, and comes in the backdrop of US President Donald Trump’s steep penalty on India for its trade with Russia. In an online media interaction on Tuesday, the Kremlin said it “understands” there is pressure on India, and underlined the importance of securing trade and building a relationship “free of any influence from third countries”.

On agenda: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to host Putin for a private dinner on Thursday, followed by bilateral talks on December 5. The two sides might sign a mobility agreement, enabling Indian skilled and semi-skilled professionals to work in Russia, and will launch the India operations of Russia Today, a government-backed news outlet.

‘BFFs?’ Columnist C Raja Mohan suggests that this would be an opportunity for both India and Russia to reinvent their ties, which have thinned in recent years. Delhi also has a stake in securing peace in Ukraine, given that the war has severely stressed its multi-alignment doctrine. Read.

⏳ And Finally…

India and South Africa are set to play the second ODI in Raipur today. On the eve of the match, fans huddle outside the stadium to catch a glimpse of their favourites training inside. But they aren’t alone. Little business ventures, from fake merchandise to gol gappa sellers, emerge to feed off the cricket frenzy. National sports editor Sandeep Dwivedi writes on cricket’s off-the-books economy.

That’s all for today, folks! Until tomorrow,
Sonal Gupta

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