Sanchar Saathi App Row: Center Clarifies — “It Can Be Deleted”

Sanchar Saathi App Row: Center Clarifies — “It Can Be Deleted”

The Sanchar Saathi app has once again become the center of a national debate. The government recently directed mobile manufacturers to pre-install this cybersecurity app on all new smartphones sold in India. A PIB press note issued on Monday night revealed that the Centre had given companies 90 days to implement the order and submit a report within 120 days.

However, the move drew sharp criticism from the opposition, leading the Centre to soften its stance on Tuesday — clarifying that the app is not mandatory and can be deleted by users.

---

What Triggered the Controversy?

The initial directive stated that:

• Sanchar Saathi must come pre-installed on every new phone.

• The app should run automatically from the moment the phone is switched on.

• Users should not be able to remove or disable it.

These conditions sparked immediate backlash. Opposition leaders accused the government of attempting to monitor citizens through mandatory software.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi said the move was pushing the country towards dictatorship. MP Karti Chidambaram went a step further, calling it “Pegasus PlusPlus… Big Brother taking over our phones and private lives.”

---

Government Responds: “Nothing Mandatory About It”

Union Ministers quickly moved to contain the criticism.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju dismissed the allegations, stating the opposition was politicizing the issue instead of allowing discussions in Parliament.

Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia clarified the government's stand:

• The app is optional.

• Users are free to delete it at any time.

• Pre-installation is only for awareness and protection.

• If not registered, the app stays inactive.

He compared Sanchar Saathi to other pre-loaded apps that come with smartphones — “If you don’t want them, you simply delete them.”

Scindia added that many citizens are unaware that a tool exists to help report fraud, track lost phones, and block misuse. Hence, the government felt it necessary to ensure the app is visible to all.

---

Why Sanchar Saathi?

The app, developed by the Department of Telecommunications, aims to:

• Combat mobile-related fraud

• Help users block or trace lost phones

• Verify mobile connections linked to their identity

• Report suspicious or fraudulent phone numbers

The government maintains that the intention is user safety, not surveillance.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dot.app.sancharsaathi