Users free to delete Sanchar Saathi if they wish, says Telecom Minister Scindia

Days after the Centre directed smartphone makers to preload a staterun cybersecurity app on all new devices Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Tuesday said users are free to delete the Sanchar Saathi app and that it will remain inactive unless they choose to register news agency PTI reportedldquoIf you want to delete it then delete itrdquo Scindia told reporters outside Parliament adding ldquoBut not everyone in the country knows that this app exists to protect them from fraud and theftrdquo lsquo rsquo hellipmdash Jyotiraditya M Scindia JM_Scindia December 2 2025His clarification came amid rising privacy concerns over a November 28 government order asking manufacturers to preinstall the Sanchar Saathi app on all new smartphones and ensure that ldquoits functionalities are not disabled or restrictedrdquo For devices already in use or lying unsold manufacturers have been asked to push the app through software updates PTI reportedCritics fear the app could enable reading of usersrsquo messages with the Opposition Congress dubbing Sanchar Saathi a ldquosnooping apprdquoDismissing the charges Scindia reiterated that the app has no surveillance featuresldquoThere is no snooping on the basis of this nor is there any call monitoringrdquo he said adding ldquoIf you want to delete it then delete it If you donrsquot want to use it then donrsquot register it If you register it then it will remain active If you donrsquot register it then it will remain inactiverdquoOpponents have also pointed to a similar move by Russia in August to mandate preinstallation of the statebacked MAX messaging app on all smartphonesThe government has defended the move saying Sanchar Saathi is critical to counter ldquoserious endangermentrdquo to telecom cybersecurity from duplicate or spoofed IMEI numbers which are often used for scams and network misuse PTI reported IMEI mdash or International Mobile Equipment Identity mdash is a unique 14 to 17digit number that allows authorities to block stolen phones from accessing mobile networksCongress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra criticised the mandate stating ldquoEveryone must have the right to privacy to send messages to family and friends without the government looking at everythingrdquoUnder DoTrsquos directions all mobile phone companies must report compliance within 120 daysEarlier in the day Congress leaders attacked the order mandating Sanchar Saathirsquos installation Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury submitted an adjournment motion notice in the Rajya Sabha seeking suspension of business to discuss the directive Congress general secretary K C Venugopal said on Monday that the right to privacy is an intrinsic part of the right to life and libertyScindia however maintained that the Opposition was raising unnecessary objections and insisted the app is meant for public safety ldquoOn one side the power of telecommunications is connecting citizens and on the other side there are forces who are misusing it to commit fraud steal money and mobile phonesrdquo he saidHe described Sanchar Saathi as a participatory platform ldquoThis is a step towards public participation In this people should not object people should welcomerdquo he said ldquoBased on this app when you buy a mobile phone you can check whether the IMEI number is fake or genuinerdquoScindia said the app has been downloaded more than 15 crore times So far around 275 crore fraudulent mobile connections have been disconnected and approximately 20 lakh stolen phones traced through the platform Of these about 75 lakh phones have been returned to users and around 21 lakh devices disconnected following user complaintsThe minister stressed that the primary purpose of the app is consumer protectionWith PTI inputs