'Sanchar Sathi app can be deleted': Minister clarifies after backlash
What's the story
Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has clarified that the Sanchar Saathi app is optional for users after the opposition raised privacy concerns, likening it to the controversial Pegasus spyware. Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, he said, "When the opposition has no issues, and they are trying to find some, we cannot help them....The app can be deleted anytime and works only after user activation." He added that it is "totally up to you" whether to download or delete the app.
Defense
'You can activate or deactivate it'
Defending the app, he said it has over 1.5 crore downloads. "Sanchar Saathi has enabled the disconnection of nearly 1.75 crore fraudulent mobile connections. Around 20 lakh stolen phones have been traced, and around 7.5 lakh stolen phones have been handed over to their owners." He also reassured that the app does not enable snooping or call monitoring. "You can activate or deactivate it as per your wish...If you don't want Sanchar Saathi, you can delete it."
Directive details
Centre's directive on pre-installed Sanchar Saathi app
The Centre had ordered all mobile handset manufacturers and importers in India to ensure the Sanchar Saathi app is pre-installed, visible, and accessible at first use or device setup within 90 days, beginning November 28. The order also mandated that its functionalities must not be disabled or restricted. For phones already manufactured, phone companies have been ordered to push the app via software updates.
Privacy fears
Opposition criticizes Centre's order, raises privacy concerns
This drew sharp criticism from the Opposition, which sees it as a major privacy violation. The Congress party has slammed the move, calling it "Pegasus++" and accusing the government of trying to surveil citizens through this app. Revolutionary Socialist Party MP NK Premachandran also voiced concerns over privacy rights. He said, "Installing the Sanchar Saathi app will adversely affect the right of privacy of individuals." He demanded withdrawal of the proposal, calling it objectionable and infringing on constitutional rights.
Defense
What Centre said regarding initiative
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.