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Journalism of Courage
Amid an uproar over privacy concerns surrounding the Sanchar Saathi mobile application, Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Wednesday told the Lok Sabha that the government was “not fixated” on its order mandating the app’s installation and would amend it if needed. His remarks came hours before the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) formally withdrew the directive asking smartphone makers to preinstall the state-developed cybersecurity app on all new and existing devices.
During Question Hour, Congress MP Deepender Hooda flagged what he termed a “serious risk” to citizens’ privacy, pointing to a recent order that required the mandatory installation of Sanchar Saathi. “The minister has clarified that the user can disable the app. Coming from a software engineering background, I understand that even after being disabled, the user will not know whether all features have been disabled. Is this an attack on the privacy of people?” he asked.
Responding, Scindia defended the app and the intent behind the initiative, while indicating that the government was willing to reconsider parts of the policy. “Telecommunication is a medium to connect people with the world. While it has many positives, some people also use it negatively. It is the government’s responsibility to protect people from such negative use,” he said.
The minister said the Sanchar Saathi portal was launched in 2023, and the mobile application in June 2025, to empower users to secure their devices and report fraud. “There have been 20 crore hits on our portal and 1.5 crore downloads of the app. The government has built the software, but the credit for its success goes to the people,” he said.
According to Scindia, data generated through Sanchar Saathi had enabled the disabling of 1.5 crore fraudulent SIM connections, helped trace 26 lakh stolen handsets and return 7 lakh devices to owners, and blocked about 6 lakh fraud attempts.
Addressing concerns that the app may function without user consent, the minister said: “Just because the app is on your phone does not mean it will begin operating automatically. Until the user registers, it won’t operate. Just like any other app, this too can be deleted. We have only provided the app to the people. Still, I say this on the floor of the House — we are not fixated over it. Based on feedback, if there is a need to amend the order, we are ready for it.”
He also categorically stated: “Neither snooping is possible, nor snooping will happen.”
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Communications announced that it had revoked the controversial order issued on November 28, which had directed smartphone manufacturers and importers to preinstall Sanchar Saathi on all new phones—and push it to existing devices through a software update. The order had further specified that the app’s functions could “not be disabled or restricted”.
The move triggered significant pushback from smartphone makers, including Apple and Google, who, as The Indian Express had reported, raised concerns about privacy, system security and the feasibility of mandating pre-installed, non-removable government software.
In its revised statement, the ministry said: “Given Sanchar Saathi’s increasing acceptance, the government has decided not to make the pre-installation mandatory for mobile manufacturers.”
Sanchar Saathi allows users to report fraudulent calls and messages, block misuse of SIMs, and track stolen phones.
The session also saw a related debate on the growing influence of social media, with MP Pappu Yadav warning that online groups based on caste, religion and gender were “dividing society.”
IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw called fake news and AI-generated deepfakes a “threat to democracy,” and said the government was moving towards stronger regulations. He highlighted a new 36-hour takedown rule and a draft framework to identify deepfakes, with consultations currently underway.
“There is a fine and delicate balance between freedom of speech and protecting our democracy. The government is working with this balance in mind,” Vaishnaw said, adding that Digital India had “democratised technology” but required safeguards to preserve public trust.
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