‘Snooping neither possible nor will happen’: Jyotiraditya Scindia rules out user data concerns over Sanchar Saathi app

The minister also said the government wants to give power to the people in order to help them protect themselves.

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) directed Indian smartphone companies, including manufacturers and importers, to pre-install the state-developed cybersecurity application called Sanchar Saathi, which allows users to report fraudulent calls, messages, and stolen mobile phones.

Even as the companies were earlier told that the application cannot be deleted, restricted or disabled by users, following concerns over mandatory installation, Scindia Tuesday clarified that it is optional.

“If you want to delete the app, you can, it is not mandatory. For instance, if you don’t want to use the app, don’t register for it, it will stay dormant, and delete it if you want to… Every citizen in the country does not know that this app exists to protect them from digital frauds and theft, and it is our responsibility to make the app available to everyone,” Scindia said.

What Congress said

While Scindia tried allay the fears regarding possible privacy breach through the app, Congress MP Deepinder Hooda raised his apprehension. “Even after the app is disabled, users will not be able to know whether all its features have been disabled or not. In such a situation, this issue is surrounded by concerns of violation of the right to privacy and suspicions of spying,” he said.

संचार साथी ऐप को लेकर सरकार ने आदेश दिया है कि अब यह ऐप फोन में प्री-इनस्टॉल होकर आएगा।

केंद्रीय मंत्री ने इस बारे में स्पष्टीकरण दिया है कि यह ऐप डिसेबल किया जा सकेगा। मगर हमारा सवाल है कि 👇

ऐप डिसेबल होने के बाद भी सारे फीचर्स डिसेबल हुए या नहीं- ये बात यूजर्स को पता नहीं चल… pic.twitter.com/xfzOPso4Ta

— Congress (@INCIndia) December 3, 2025

What is Sanchar Saathi?

At present, Sanchar Saathi is available as a mobile application as well as a website. For now, its use is optional.

The Sanchar Saathi website says, “Sanchar Saathi is a citizen centric initiative of Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to empower mobile subscribers, strengthen their security and increase awareness about citizen centric initiatives of the Government… Sanchar Saathi provides various citizen centric services. In addition, Keep Yourself Aware facility provides latest updates and awareness material on different aspects related to end user security, telecom and information security.”