Union Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Tuesday attempted to calm public concerns over the Sanchar Saathi application by insisting that the app is optional and can be deleted at the user’s discretion. His clarification came after a wave of criticism over a government directive requiring smartphone manufacturers to pre-install the app on all devices and push it to existing phones through software updates. Opposition leaders and digital-rights advocates have raised alarms over privacy, surveillance, and the mandatory nature of the rollout.
Despite Scindia’s assurance that the app can be ignored or deleted, the statement has been widely questioned because it directly contradicts the formal instructions issued by the Ministry of Communications. The Department of Telecommunications’ circular specifies that manufacturers must ensure the pre-installed app remains visible at first use and that its functions “are not disabled or restricted.” The clause has led to a debate over whether users will have the autonomy to remove the app or limit its permissions after installation.
The order has already triggered a political dispute, with the Opposition calling the decision intrusive and comparing it to earlier allegations of digital surveillance involving Pegasus spyware. Critics argue that forcing the app onto phones and disallowing the restriction of its functionalities undermines the fundamental right to privacy. The government, meanwhile, maintains that Sanchar Saathi is intended solely to counter cyber fraud and assist users in blocking stolen devices, not to monitor communication or collect personal data.
Scindia’s clarification has therefore raised fresh questions rather than resolving them, as users and data-protection experts now seek clarity on whether the minister’s public assurance or the published directive will prevail in policy and implementation.
