India has revoked an order to smartphone manufacturers to install a government-owned cybersecurity application on all new mobile devices following massive backlash amid digital rights concerns.

According to an official notification issued by the Department of Telecommunications on November 28, all leading smartphone makers, including Apple and Samsung, were given 90 days to add the government’s Sanchar Saathi application to all newly manufactured devices.

The government, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), said the order was part of a move to tackle fraud and misuse of mobile phones.

The order faced pushback, however, both from tech companies and digital privacy advocates. Prior to its withdrawal, Apple, based in the United States, reportedly said it would not comply with the ord

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