New Delhi: Amid political backlash over the pre-installation of the Sanchar Saathi app on all new mobile phones, the government on Tuesday clarified that the application will not track user activity or serve as a surveillance tool.
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) emphasised that the app’s only function is to secure mobile identities, without accessing or monitoring personal data. “Sanchar Saathi will come pre-installed, but it will not watch you or act as a snooping mechanism. Its sole purpose is to protect mobile identity while respecting user privacy,” the DoT said.
The clarification comes after opposition leaders accused the government of introducing a “snooping tool” akin to Pegasus. Earlier directives had instructed mobile manufacturers to pre-load the app on new devices and prevent its deletion or disabling, sparking widespread criticism.
Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia reassured users, stating, “If you don’t want Sanchar Saathi, you can delete it. It is optional. Our duty is to make it available, but keeping it on the device is up to the user.”
The government described the app as part of a larger initiative to prevent IMEI misuse and strengthen cybersecurity. It is also being pushed via software updates on existing devices.
Opposition figures remain critical. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra called the directive “dictatorial” and warned it could infringe on citizens’ communication freedom, while Shashi Tharoor acknowledged the app’s potential benefits if voluntary but stressed that mandatory implementation in a democracy is concerning.
According to the DoT, Sanchar Saathi is citizen-centric, designed solely to enhance mobile security, and cannot access private communications or personal data.
