Our Bureau
New Delhi
Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has clarified that the Sanchar Saathi mobile application is completely optional and not mandatory for users. Speaking amid concerns and criticism, he stressed that users can freely choose to delete or not activate the app. The minister emphasized that the app’s purpose is to provide protection against digital fraud and enhance the digital security of citizens, not surveillance or call monitoring.
The clarification comes after the Department of Telecommunications issued a directive to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app on all new mobile phones manufactured or imported for sale in India. The app offers features aimed at preventing cyber fraud, such as blocking theft or loss, and tools to manage mobile connections safely. Scindia highlighted that the government’s intention is to introduce this safety tool to all users, but the decision to keep or delete the app rests entirely with the user.
Opposition parties had criticized the move as a government overreach and likened the app to controversial spyware, alleging privacy violations. However, Scindia dismissed these claims as baseless political tactics and reiterated that the app does not enable snooping in any way. He reiterated, “If you don’t want Sanchar Saathi, you can delete it. It is optional… Keeping it on devices is up to the user.”
The minister further stated that the government takes the digital security of every citizen very seriously and sees the app as a step toward safeguarding users from the reported losses in cyber fraud, which amounted to significant sums in recent years. The Sanchar Saathi app aims to empower consumers with tools for better mobile security while respecting their freedom to accept or reject the service.
