The Union government has stepped in to calm rising concerns around the Sanchar Saathi mobile app, clarifying that the platform is not mandatory and can be removed by any user. Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia informed Parliament that the app was designed purely as a citizen-support tool and does not have the capability to monitor conversations or extract private information.
The clarification follows intense debate triggered by a government directive asking smartphone makers to pre-install the app on all new devices. The instruction also extended to older phones through upcoming software updates. The move led to widespread questions over privacy, data access, and the possibility of government intrusion through digital devices.
Scindia strongly countered these claims, asserting that the app “cannot and will not” access personal content. He explained that its primary goal is to help users secure their devices and mobile identities at a time when telecom-based fraud is increasing across the country.
Sanchar Saathi offers several tools aimed at preventing misuse of mobile networks. One key feature allows users to see how many SIM cards are registered under their name and flag unauthorized numbers. Another permits quick reporting and blocking of mobile phones that are lost or stolen, cutting off their misuse across networks. The “Know Your Mobile” function helps verify whether a device carries a valid IMEI number, an important step in preventing cloned or illegal devices commonly used in scams.
Officials argue that these capabilities strengthen digital safety and reduce the burden on law enforcement. However, critics believe that pre-installation, even if voluntary, raises larger questions about the state’s role in personal technology. Privacy advocates have called for greater transparency on how the app handles user data and demanded safeguards before any mass deployment.
By stating clearly that users are free to delete the app, the government hopes to reassure citizens while retaining the safety features Sanchar Saathi aims to offer. The debate, however, reflects a broader national conversation about the balance between digital protection and individual privacy, one that is likely to continue as technology becomes further intertwined with everyday life.
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