India drops Aadhaar app mandate after pushback

The Indian government has dropped its controversial mandate requiring the Aadhaar app to be pre-installed on all smartphones sold in the country. The decision comes after significant pushback from major smartphone manufacturers, including Apple and Samsung, who raised concerns over implementation and security. This reversal eases a major policy flashpoint between the global tech industry and Indian regulators. The move is seen as a concession to industry pressure and may signal a more collaborative approach to future tech policy.