'It's Pegasus++': Row over Centre's Sanchar Saathi directive to phonemakers
What's the story
The Indian government has ordered smartphone manufacturers to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app on all devices. This state-developed cybersecurity application cannot be deleted by users. The move has sparked fears of privacy invasion, with many likening it to the controversial Pegasus spyware. Congress MP Karti Chidambaram said, "This is Pegasus plus plus... Big Brother will take over our phone and pretty much our entire private lives."
App details
Sanchar Saathi app's purpose and functionality
The government claims the Sanchar Saathi app is necessary to protect citizens from purchasing non-genuine handsets. To do that, the government has ordered phone companies to "ensure that the pre-installed Sanchar Saathi application is readily visible and accessible to the end users at the time of first use or device setup and that its functionalities are not disabled or restricted."
Privacy debate
Political figures voice concerns over privacy invasion
However, privacy concerns have been raised due to the wide permissions required by the app. These include access to the camera, monitoring calls and messages, and tracking network state for device location. Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi called it a "BIG BOSS surveillance moment." Political analyst Tehseen Poonawalla called it a "blatant assault on privacy and freedom," warning that the government could spy on calls, texts, and location under the guise of safety.
Public outcry
Government's order
On Monday, the Department of Telecommunications, which falls under the Ministry of Communications, mandated mobile phone manufacturers to ensure that the Sanchar Saathi app be pre-installed on all mobile devices manufactured or imported in India within 90 days, beginning November 28. For phones already manufactured, phone companies have been ordered to push the app via software updates. The Centre has cautioned that failing to comply with these guidelines would attract action.
Reason
Reasons for app push
According to the Centre, the app helps users report suspicious calls, verify IMEI numbers (a unique identifier for every mobile device), and block lost or stolen devices through a centralized database. "Such proactive reporting of suspected fraud communication helps (the) Department of Telecommunications in...prevention of misuse of telecom resources for cyber-crime, financial frauds etc," the Sanchar Sathi website says. Since its launch, it has been downloaded over five million times and has blocked more than 3.7 million stolen/lost phones.