For the past few days, a single question has dominated public thought and social media across the country—Is Sanchar Saathi Mandatory?
Fear among new phone buyers, growing debates on the internet, and questions regarding privacy have turned this into a highly sensitive issue. Amidst this, Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia stepped forward to dispel the confusion, delivering relieving news to crores of mobile users.
Sanchar Saathi Not Mandatory, Completely Optional—Scindia’s Clear Response
The Minister stated clearly that the Sanchar Saathi app is not being forced upon anyone. He said with a smile: “If you don’t want to keep the app, delete it. If you don’t want to activate it, don’t. It is completely your choice.”
His statement puts an end to the major misconception that the government was mandatorily installing this app on every phone and making it undeletable.
“The Control of Your Phone is in Your Hands”
Scindia explained in simple language that Sanchar Saathi is just like other pre-installed apps that you can choose to use or not. He gave an example:
- Google Maps comes pre-installed.
- On Android, it cannot be deleted, but it can be Disabled.
- Sanchar Saathi can be controlled in the same way.
“No compulsion, no pressure. Just an option.”
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The Opposition’s Allegation—Privacy at Risk via ‘Snooping App’?
The Congress and other opposition parties leveled sharp accusations against the government:
- KC Venugopal: “This step is unconstitutional; Big Brother cannot watch us.”
- Priyanka Gandhi: “This is a Snooping App; the country is being pushed towards dictatorship.”
- Priyanka Chaturvedi: “This is like a BIG BOSS surveillance moment.”
- Karti Chidambaram: “This happens in countries like Russia and North Korea.”
The controversy escalated when Reuters claimed that the government directed companies to pre-install the app within 90 days and prevent it from being deleted.
Scindia’s Counter—”No Answer for Those Who Don’t Want to See the Truth”
The Minister accused the opposition of spreading myths, stating: “In 2024, cyber fraud in the country amounted to ₹22,800 crore. We are providing security to people, and they are calling it Pegasus.” He reiterated that the app neither listens to calls, steals data, nor engages in any form of spying.
Reaction from Companies—Apple Refuses, Samsung Reviewing
According to the Reuters report:
- Apple clearly stated that it does not follow such directives in any country. Its concern is that an “undeletable app” violates iOS security policies.
- Samsung and other companies are reviewing the order.
What is the Sanchar Saathi App? Why is it in the News?
Launched by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) in January 2025, this app was designed to protect citizens from cybercrimes.
Key Features:
- Blocking and tracking stolen/lost phones.
- Identification of fake SIMs.
- Protection from digital fraud.
- Works on all networks.
- Available in 21 languages.
Achievements So Far:
- 7 Lakh+ phones recovered.
- 3.7 Million stolen/lost phones blocked.
- 30 Million+ fake connections closed.
- 5 Million+ downloads.
Sanchar Saathi is Not Mandatory—Your Choice, Your Safety
The Government’s clear message:
- ✔️ The App is Completely Optional.
- ✔️ The user can Delete it if they wish.
- ✔️ If not registered, it remains Inactive.
- ✔️ The app does not engage in any spying.
While the controversy continues, the Minister’s clear statement removes both fear and confusion from the minds of the people.
Disclaimer:
This article is based on publicly available information, official statements and credible news sources. The content has been written for informational and awareness purposes only. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, readers are advised to verify details independently if required. Neither the author nor the platform is responsible for any decisions taken based on this article.
Dr. Bidyut Barun Sarmah, with 22+ years of experience in print, electronic, and digital media, holds an MA and PhD in Mass Communication and Journalism. He has worked with AIR, Doordarshan, and the Publication Division under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. A published author and researcher, Dr. Sarmah writes extensively in both Assamese and English. He was also awarded a prestigious fellowship by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, for his study on journalistic literature—an achievement that highlights his depth of scholarship and contribution to media studies. At Nest of News, he leads the editorial team and contributes across diverse topics.