NEW DELHI: Amidst the uproar and surveillance concerns over the inbuilt installation of the Sanchar Saathi app in new mobile phones manufactured or imported in India, Apple has no plans to comply with an order to preload its smartphones with a government-owned cybersecurity app, three sources familiar with the matter said. Apple will soon make its concerns known to New Delhi, the sources said.
The Indian government has secretly ordered several mobile phone manufacturers, including Apple, Samsung and Xiaomi, to preload an app called Sanchar Saathi, or Sanchar Saathi, on their phones within 90 days. The app aims to track stolen phones, block them and prevent their misuse. The government also wants mobile manufacturers to ensure that the app cannot be uninstalled. Reuters first shared this information on Monday.

**Users will be able to delete or keep Sanchar Saathi app: Scindia
Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said that users will be able to delete the ‘Sanchar Saathi’ app, which comes inbuilt in new mobile phones, from their mobiles. Talking to reporters on Tuesday, Scindia said that users will be able to decide whether to keep the Sanchar Saathi app or delete it.
The Union Minister said, “If you want to delete this app, then delete it. But not everyone in the country knows that this app is made to protect against fraud and theft. The Union Communications Minister said, “It is our responsibility to make this app available to everyone. If you want to delete it, then delete it.
If you don’t want to use it, then don’t register it. If you register it, it will remain active. If you don’t register it, it will remain inactive.”