India’s government has backtracked on its demand for Apple to preinstall a state-backed app onto the iPhone, after facing a predictable public backlash.
A graphic Apple created for the launch of its online Apple Store in India in 2020 – Image credit: Apple
A graphic Apple created for the launch of its online Apple Store in India in 2020 – Image credit: Apple
On November 28, the India Ministry of Communication issued a secret directive to Apple and other smartphone manufacturers, requiring the preinstallation of a government-backed app. Less than a week later, the order has been rescinded.
The withdrawal on Wednesday means Apple doesn’t have to preload the Sanchar Saathi app onto iPhones sold in the country, in a way that couldn’t be “disabled or restricted.”