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Government Withdraws Order on Mandatory Sanchar Saathi Pre-Installation
The central government has withdrawn its recent order that required mobile phone companies to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app on all new smartphones sold in India. The decision came just five days after the original directive was issued.
Government Removes the Mandate
On Wednesday, the Ministry of Communications announced through a press release that the mandate had been revoked.
“Given Sanchar Saathi’s increasing acceptance, the Government has decided not to make the pre-installation mandatory for mobile manufacturers,” the statement said.
This decision followed communications minister Jyotiraditya Scindia’s remarks in the Lok Sabha, where he said that the government was open to modifying the directive if citizens raised genuine concerns.
Concerns Over Privacy and ‘Snooping’
The initial order, issued on November 28, required all phone makers to ship new devices with Sanchar Saathi already installed. The wording of the order suggested users would not be able to disable or delete the app, raising immediate concerns among privacy advocates and civil society groups.
Although the government later clarified that users could remove the app if they wished, critics remained worried that it might become a tool for government surveillance.
As criticism grew, Scindia stated in Parliament that Sanchar Saathi does not access personal data and cannot be used for snooping. He said the app is meant only to help users access fraud-prevention tools easily.
Why the Mandate Was Withdrawn
According to DoT secretary Neeraj Mittal, the mandate was dropped because the app has already become widely popular.
“Just in one day, 600,000 citizens have registered for downloading the app, which is a 10x increase in its uptake,” said the government statement, adding that this shows citizens trust the app for safeguarding themselves from fraud.
However, a person familiar with the matter said the DoT faced “too much pressure” from the industry and the public backlash. The person added that officials informally checked with legal experts, who reportedly said the directive might not stand up constitutionally.
A second DoT official disagreed, saying there was no industry pressure and that many smartphone brands supported the mandate. “India’s digital future depends on partnerships where government, industry, and citizens unite against common threats like cyber fraud,” the official said.
An industry executive aware of Apple’s internal discussions said public outrage and debates in Parliament during the winter session contributed to the withdrawal.
Political and Public Reactions
Opposition party Congress demanded the withdrawal of the mandate, accusing the government of trying to create a “surveillance state.”
“Safety is an excuse, the target is privacy,” said Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera. He compared the app’s potential misuse to the Pegasus spyware controversy.
Digital rights group Internet Freedom Foundation welcomed the decision but said they are waiting for the complete text of the revised legal order. “This is cautious optimism, not closure,” the group said.
Sanchar Saathi’s Growing Adoption
The government says that more than 14 million people have already downloaded the Sanchar Saathi app. According to officials, the app helps detect around 2,000 fraud incidents every day. The mandate, they said, was meant to speed up adoption and help citizens—especially those less aware of digital threats—access its features easily.
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Nothing has started rolling out the Nothing OS 4.1 October 2026 update for the Nothing Phone (2). The update focuses on bug fixes, system stability improvements, and connectivity optimisations. It also brings the October 2026 security patch.
The update size is 107 MB, making it a relatively small maintenance update.
Nothing OS 4.1 October Update: What’s New?
According to the official changelog displayed on the device, the update includes the following improvements:
- Video playback: Improved smoothness for videos recorded at 1080p@ 60FPS.
- Bluetooth: Optimised connection stability when activating the voice assistant.
- Wi-Fi hotspot: Fixed an issue where the hotspot frequency did not match the selected option in certain cases.
- System stability: Enhanced overall system stability.
- Security: Updated to the October 2026 security patch.
How to Download the Update
Nothing Phone (2) users can check for the latest update by navigating to Settings > System > System Update. If the update is available, download and install it.
The rollout may happen in phases, so some users might have to wait before receiving the update.
If you don’t receive any OTA related to the update, you can manually update through our Nothing Firmware app.
Overall, the Nothing OS 4.1 October update is a minor maintenance release focused on improving the everyday user experience rather than introducing new features.
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Nothing has teased another Pokémon on its official X account and Nothing Community, hinting that a new product could be on the way. This time, the company has shared Kingdra, Pokémon #230 in the National Pokédex.
Kingdra is a Water/Dragon-type Pokémon introduced in Generation II. The teaser features the Pokémon alongside a cryptic description about sleeping deep on the ocean floor to build energy and causing tornadoes when it wakes up.
What Could Nothing Be Launching Next?
Nothing has not revealed which product the new Pokémon teaser refers to. However, the company has previously used Pokémon-themed teasers to build anticipation for upcoming devices, making this latest post worth watching.
An audio product, such as new Nothing Ear earbuds or headphones, could be one possibility. A new smartphone or another product category cannot be ruled out either.
For now, the product name, specifications, pricing and launch date remain unknown. More details may emerge through future teasers from the company.
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WhatsApp is testing a new shortcut that makes sharing Instagram Reels directly in chats easier. The feature adds a dedicated Reels button to the chat attachment menu, allowing users to quickly find and share Instagram content without navigating through multiple menus.
The feature was spotted in WhatsApp beta for Android version 2.26.42.9 and is currently rolling out to some beta testers.
WhatsApp Adds a Dedicated Reels Button
Previously, users who linked their WhatsApp account to Meta’s Accounts Center could access Instagram Reels through the media picker. However, finding the option required opening the picker and selecting Instagram from the source list.
With the new shortcut, users can tap the Reels button directly from the chat attachment menu to open a dedicated interface for browsing and sharing content.
Recent, Saved and Liked Reels
The new interface includes three tabs:
- Recent: Reels recently watched on Instagram.
- Saved: Reels saved by the user.
- Liked: Reels liked by the user.
Users can browse these sections and select content to share in WhatsApp chats. The interface also reportedly provides access to posts.
Availability
The shortcut requires users to link their WhatsApp account to Meta’s Accounts Center. This integration remains optional, so users who prefer to keep their accounts separate can continue using WhatsApp without connecting them.
The feature is rolling out gradually to Android beta testers through the Google Play Store. WhatsApp has not yet announced when the dedicated Reels shortcut will become available to all users.
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