Sanchar Saathi App: Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has responded to the growing backlash over the Sanchar Saathi app, saying that it is not mandatory to download the app and that people can delete it from their smartphones like any other app. “… If you don’t want Sanchar Saathi, you can delete it. It is optional… It is our duty to introduce this app to everyone. Keeping it in their devices or not is up to the user…,” Scindia told reporters outside the Parliament.

“When the opposition has no issues, and they are trying to find some, we cannot help them. Our duty is to help the consumers and ensure their safety. The Sanchar Saathi app enables every consumer to ensure their safety…,” he added. 

Scindia further said that the Sanchar Saathi portal has more than 20 crore downloads, and the app has more than 1.5 crore downloads. 

“Sanchar Saathi has enabled the disconnection of nearly 1.75 crore fraudulent mobile connections. Around 20 lakh stolen phones have been traced, and around 7.5 lakh stolen phones have been handed over to their owners, all because of Sanchar Saathi…,” he further said, before stressing, “This app does not enable snooping or call monitoring. You can activate or deactivate it as per your wish… If you don’t want Sanchar Saathi, you can delete it. It is optional….”

Sanchar Saathi app: DoT directive

The central government has instructed smartphone companies to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app on all new devices to help users report fraudulent calls, messages, and stolen phones. The directive, issued on November 28, also requires that the app be made non-removable, meaning users will not be able to delete or restrict its features. The companies have also been asked to roll out software updates so that the app is installed on smartphones already sold in the market.

A senior official quoted by The Indian Express said the move is aimed at “strengthening cybersecurity and anti-spam measures”. This follows a recent Department of Telecommunications (DoT) directive to platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram to implement SIM-binding, which would prevent these apps from running if the SIM card used during initial registration is not present in the device.

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DoT has also instructed the companies to complete the implementation in 90 days and submit the report in 120 days. 

Sanchar Saathi app: Concerns and subsequent backlash

The Sanchar Saathi app is facing the wrath of both smartphone companies and the Opposition. While manufacturers are alarmed by the DoT’s mandate due to major operational challenges, Opposition leaders have raised privacy concerns over the app’s extensive permissions, including access to call and SMS logs, the ability to make and manage calls, send messages, and access photos, files, and the camera.

Smartphone manufacturers told Financial Express that the mandate adds to the burden on an industry already struggling with compliance pressures, rising component costs, and profitability issues. They argued that the move effectively turns handset makers into enforcers of government policy – something that could instead be addressed through user-awareness initiatives. They also stressed that trust in the app would grow better through transparent outreach rather than forcing it onto devices.

Sanchar Saathi app is a ‘dictatorship’

Aaditya Thackeray has called it a “dictatorship”. “Dictatorship, without calling it so,” he said. 

‘Blatant assault on privacy, freedom’: Tehseen Poonawalla

Tehseen Poonawalla slammed the decision as “outrageous”, saying India needs to “wake up”. “Govt’s Sanchar Saathi app mandate is a blatant assault on our privacy & freedom! By forcing it pre-installed on every new phone, not allowing us to uninstall the app, all under the guise of ‘safety’, the government will potentially have the power to spy on our calls, texts & location,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter). 

He added, “This is surveillance at its worst, & the government will have the power to track us like criminals! We need to fight this.”

Alongside, he shared a screenshot of the permissions that would be required by the app. 

‘BIG BOSS surveillance moment’: Priyanka Chaturvedi

Shiv Sena UBT leader Priyanka Chaturvedi called it “BIG BOSS surveillance moment”. “Sanchar Saathi mobile Application mandate to every mobile phone manufacturer as a permanent mobile feature by the GoI is nothing but another BIG BOSS surveillance moment,” she wrote on X, before adding, “Such shady ways to get into individual phones will be protested and opposed & if the IT Ministry thinks that instead of creating robust redressal systems it will create surveillance systems then it should be ready for a pushback!”

John Brittas’ sarcasm-dipped post

CPI-M MP John Brittas too slammed the government over preloading of the Sanchar Saathi app, calling it the government’s “grand plan for citizen empowerment”. 

“Make Sanchar Saathi app mandatory..pre-install on every phone! Anyone without this app should be removed from the voters’ list; CEC should be happy to do this! Pegasus too expensive & Apple keeps sending those annoying warnings anyway!” read a his sarcasm dipped post read on X. 

It added, “Has anyone heard about the outcome of CERT-In’s probe into state-sponsored iPhone hacks? Questions asked in Parliament on this disallowed continue….”

“Next step obviously: ankle monitors, collars & brain implants for 1.4 billion people. Only then will the government finally know what we really think and do…,” he further said.  

Sanchar Saathi app: Why does the government want you to download it?

Sanchar Saathi app, per the official website, aims to empower citizens by facilitating the awareness materials and latest updates on security, telecom and information security. At present, it is available on mobile and desktop.

“Sanchar Saathi is a citizen-centric initiative of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to empower mobile subscribers, strengthen their security and increase awareness about citizen-centric initiatives of the Government,” the website’s about section states. 

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It adds, “Keep Yourself Aware facility provides latest updates and awareness material on different aspects related to end user security, telecom and information security.”

All about the Sanchar Saathi app

Sanchar Saathi offers various facilities, like blocking a lost or stolen phone, checking mobile connections in your name, verifying the genuineness of your mobile handset, and reporting suspected fraud through an option called Chakshu.

Report suspected fraud

Chakshu helps people report suspicious calls, SMS, or WhatsApp messages that seem like fraud. These messages may try to trick users into committing cybercrime, financial fraud, or pretending to be someone important. “Few examples of suspected fraud communications are communication related to impersonation as DoT/TRAI, police, Government official, suspected investment & trading, KYC & Payment related to Bank/Electricity/Gas/Insurance etc,” the website states. 

Block lost or stolen mobile 

The app also enables the tracing of lost or stolen mobile devices, as well as blocking them so they cannot be used in India. If someone attempts to use the blocked mobile phone, it will be traced through this app and may later be unblocked through the app or the portal. 

Know mobile connections in your name

You can also know the number of mobile connections in your name and report those that you don’t require or haven’t subscribed to. 

Genuineness of mobile phone

One can also check the genuineness of their mobile phone on the Sanchar Saathi app through the 15-digit International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number.

Report incoming international call

Citizens, with the help of the Sanchar Saathi app, will also be able to report incoming international calls with Indian numbers starting with +91. “Such international calls are received by illegal telecom setups over the Internet from foreign countries and sent to Indian citizens disguised as domestic calls,” the website states. 

It adds that if such numbers are reported, it will help the government to act against the illegal telecom exchanges, which are causing financial loss to the exchequer and posing a threat to national security.

Know your Internet service provider

With this option, the Sanchar Saathi users will be able to check the details of the Wireline Internet Service Providers in their area to get internet services.

The application, launched in January this year, can be downloaded from both Apple’s App Store and Google’s Play Store. According to the government release, over 37.28 lakh stolen or lost mobile devices were successfully blocked using the app in September, and more than 22.76 lakh devices had been traced.