Union Minister for Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia has clarified that the Sanchar Saathi mobile application—recently at the center of a public debate over privacy—is not mandatory. His statement comes a day after the government directed smartphone manufacturers to preload the app on all new devices, triggering concerns about possible surveillance.
Speaking to ANI on Tuesday, Scindia said that while the government aims to make users aware of the Sanchar Saathi platform, the decision to keep or remove the app remains entirely with the user.
“If you don’t want Sanchar Saathi, you can delete it. It is optional,” Scindia said.
He added, “It is our duty to introduce this app to everyone. Keeping it in their devices or not is up to the user.”
The Sanchar Saathi platform, launched by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), allows users to block lost or stolen phones, check mobile connections linked to their identity, and report suspected fraud. However, the recent directive to mandate the app on new devices sparked concerns across social media about potential intrusion into user data.
Earlier in the day, BJP MP Shashank Mani Tripathi defended the government’s decision to preload the app, stating that it enhances user security and helps combat cyber fraud.
The clarification from Scindia aims to calm fears after the directive drew sharp scrutiny from privacy advocates and smartphone users alike.
