More bad news for mobile phone users in India (after SIM binding): Our government is mandating a government app (sanchar saathi) on every new phone, permanently, Reuters reports.
Will be pushed to your phone via OTA. New smartphones need to have it. Users cannot delete it. This is a first. India has never before required an unremovable state app on every device. Russia does btw, with its MAX Messenger (started September 2025).
A few comments regarding this:
1. Sanchar Saathi is a lost phone tracker, but if it gets embedded with no possibility of removal, it becomes a government tracker on your device.
IF the government is allowed to get away with this, what’s next? A mandatory digital ID app? Digiyatra forcefully installed on each device? An app that disables VPNs or tracks your app and browser history? An app that sends copies of your messages to the government once a month?
Once the OS layer is opened to the state, it doesn’t close.
2. Legally, one can argue that your mobile phone is your personal space, and this is an invasion of your personal space.
It’s where we have our most private conversations. Exchange sensitive information with people we trust.
How do we know this app isn’t used to access files and messaging on our device, which is unencrypted on device? Or a future update won’t do that? This is clearly an invasion of our privacy.
3. Remember how the government exempt itself from much of the Data Protection Law. This explains why.
The Data Protection Law will make private companies more accountable and the Indian government less accountable.
4. Bloatware is already an issue with some phones (It’s why I don’t use Samsung). Now there’s more, and this time the government is forcing bloatware. I guess we’ll all have to root our phones now. When you buy a phone with bloatware, you're choosing to buy it with bloatware. This is different.
5. The way things work with India’s Department of Telecom, there was no public consultation, the order wasn’t disclosed. Just forced. This is dictatorial in nature. If they get away with this, more will follow.
Drew Gooden making a video about the economy and the decline in property ownership in younger generations dawg look at what the recession is doing to our comedy youtubers
This is absolutely amazing for how bills will be passed in Lok Sabha. There's going to be no party with clear majority. All bills will have to be discussed and deliberated on. As they should.
The Director of the UN's New York office just resigned after thirty years at the organisation over the UN's handling of the ongoing genocide of Palestinians.
The entirety of his resignation letter is a necessary read but this first page blew me away.
made in heaven episode format—
bride: fuck u
groom: fuck u blood fuck fuck u fuck bloody
Kabir Monologue: But why really is it “mental health” and not “womental health”? Why does nobody ask that question? The truth is that in Delhi a woman’s mental health has never mattered…
Hello frens see I have put rap song about an army of cats that fights with the power of jazz to allow Pink Floyd to be played.
Here is the link: https://t.co/MpszN0jj32
Thanks to @spotittyfy for animating video!
You never really understand why people keep saying 'life goes on' until you're in the absolute worst of times and your shampoo runs out and you realize that the mundanities of life go on with no regard for you. Shampoo runs out, phone bills are due, plants need to be watered.
@cooIboobs Like the people who give away actual food with dignity to the homeless to raise their followers isn't as bad- yes you're exploiting the poor for views but AT LEAST they're getting good, hot, healthy meals in return
this is straight up revolting
@cooIboobs The whole thing is horrible, but stepping on the road right with the "sanitary" garbage bags on only to walk into the truck + giving him a spoon to have the ramen 😭 What a waste of food for a fake tiktok, absolutely disgusting