During a discussion in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, Union communications minister Jyotiraditya Scindia firmly dismissed allegations that the Sanchar Saathi mobile application could be used for surveillance. He stressed that the purpose of the app is to safeguard citizens, not to intrude on their privacy. According to him, there is no possibility of the application being misused for snooping, and the government intends only to empower users to protect themselves from fraud.
His clarification came at a time when the Department of Telecommunications has issued an order requiring mobile manufacturers to include the Sanchar Saathi app on all new devices sold in India. The directive, issued on November 28, also instructs companies to make the app visible when a phone is first set up and to ensure that its features remain accessible to users. The same rule applies to existing devices, which are expected to receive the app through software updates.
Despite concerns raised in public debates and on social media, Scindia reiterated that the presence of the app is not compulsory for citizens. Speaking on Tuesday, he emphasised that anyone who does not wish to use the app is free to remove it from their phone. Reports suggesting that the app would be locked or impossible to delete were incorrect, he said, adding that the system is voluntary and meant to help people stay alert against identity theft, fraudulent calls, and other digital threats.
Sanchar Saathi was first introduced as a government portal in May 2023, offering services such as checking the number of mobile connections linked to a person’s identity documents, reporting suspicious numbers, and locating lost or stolen devices. The mobile version of the platform was launched earlier this year to boost the country’s fight against cybercrime.