New Delhi – The Centre’s directive requiring pre-installation of the Sanchar Saathi app on all mobile handsets sold in India has sparked a political debate, with opposition parties raising privacy concerns while the government firmly defends the cybersecurity initiative. Union minister for communications Jyotiraditya Scindia has addressed these apprehensions, clarifying that the application is entirely optional and does not infringe upon citizens’ fundamental right to privacy.
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) issued a directive to all mobile phone manufacturers and importers, mandating the pre-installation of the Sanchar Saathi app on every handset sold in India within 90 days. This requirement has become a subject of intense political scrutiny and public discussion regarding digital privacy rights.
Understanding the Sanchar Saathi App and Its Purpose
The Sanchar Saathi app serves as a comprehensive cybersecurity tool that allows users to verify their device’s unique International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number and report any misuse of telecommunications resources. Officials have emphasized that the application addresses a “serious endangerment” to telecom cyber security posed by duplicate or spoofed IMEI numbers, which are frequently exploited in scams and network misuse.
The Sanchar Saathi app enables citizens to protect themselves from various forms of digital fraud and ensures that their mobile connections are secure from unauthorized use. By providing a centralized platform for IMEI verification and fraud reporting, the application aims to create a safer digital ecosystem for all Indian mobile phone users.
Opposition’s Snooping Concerns and Privacy Criticisms
Several opposition leaders have voiced strong concerns about the mandatory pre-installation requirement for the Sanchar Saathi app. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has been particularly vocal, characterizing the application as a “snooping app” and asserting that it infringes on citizens’ constitutional right to privacy.
“The Sanchar Saathi is a snooping app, and clearly it is ridiculous. Citizens have the right to privacy. Everyone must have the right to privacy to send messages to family and friends without the government looking at everything,” Priyanka Gandhi Vadra told reporters, articulating the opposition’s fundamental objections to the pre-installation mandate.
These criticisms reflect broader concerns about government surveillance capabilities and the extent to which state authorities can access citizens’ personal communications and digital activities without their explicit consent.
Government’s Comprehensive Clarification
Union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia addressed the concerns flagged by opposition leaders on Tuesday, providing detailed clarification about the Sanchar Saathi app’s functionality and user controls. Scindia emphasized that activation of the application on mobile handsets is not mandatory and remains fully up to consumers’ discretion to use or delete it like any other mobile application.
“Digital security of every citizen of the country is our topmost priority,” Scindia stated, underscoring the government’s commitment to protecting citizens from cyber fraud while respecting their privacy rights. He explained that the objective of the Sanchar Saathi app is to enable each individual to protect their privacy and stay safe from online fraud, rather than to monitor or surveil citizens’ activities.
Impressive Impact Statistics of Sanchar Saathi App
The government has shared compelling data demonstrating the effectiveness and public acceptance of the Sanchar Saathi app. According to Scindia’s statement on social media platform X, over 20 crore people have used the portal so far, with over 1.5 crore users actively connected to the application.
Upon citizens selecting the ‘Not My Number’ feature within the Sanchar Saathi app, over 1.43 crore mobile connections have been successfully disconnected, protecting users from unauthorized connections registered in their names. Additionally, the platform has facilitated the tracing of 26 lakh mobile phones, of which 7.23 lakh devices have been successfully returned to their rightful owners.
These statistics demonstrate the tangible benefits that the Sanchar Saathi app provides in combating telecommunications fraud and helping citizens recover stolen or lost devices.
Details of the DoT Directive Implementation
Under the directive dated November 28, all original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and importers have been given 90 days to install the Sanchar Saathi app across their entire device lineup. They will then have an additional 30 days to submit a compliance report to the Department of Telecommunications, ensuring accountability and transparency in the implementation process.
Manufacturers are also required to roll out software updates containing the Sanchar Saathi app for all devices already produced, sold, or currently in the supply chain. This comprehensive approach ensures that both new and existing devices will have access to the cybersecurity features provided by the application.
Clarifying Confusion Over App Functionality
The directive reviewed by authorities states that the Sanchar Saathi app “must be visible at first use” and that “its functionalities cannot be disabled.” Officials have acknowledged that confusion over these specific clauses may have led to claims that the application couldn’t be uninstalled by users.
The government has clarified that while the app’s core functionalities cannot be disabled when active, users retain complete freedom to delete the Sanchar Saathi app from their devices entirely, just as they would with any other mobile application, thereby preserving user autonomy and addressing privacy concerns effectively.
