India has cancelled its order to make smartphone makers preload the state-run Sanchar Saathi cyber safety app on new phones. The government had issued the order last week, demanding the app be installed and not disabled or restricted. This sparked concerns over privacy and user surveillance. Critics, including cybersecurity experts and companies like Apple and Samsung, opposed the directive, saying it violated user privacy and was issued without clear consultation. The telecom ministry reported that 14 million users have already downloaded the app and 600,000 new users joined in one day, showing the app's popularity. However, the backlash forced the government to withdraw the order. India's Minister of Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia said, "Snooping is neither possible nor will it happen with the Sanchar Saathi safety app." Digital rights groups welcomed the government's decision but asked for the official legal documents to confirm the withdrawal and any changes to Cyber Security Rules. The Internet Freedom Foundation stated, "For now, we should treat this as cautious optimism, not closure, until the formal legal direction is published and independently confirmed."