Archive · 10 Dec 2025
DoT Withdraws Sanchar Saathi App Directive
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) in India recently decided to withdraw a directive that required a new app called Sanchar Saathi to be pre-installed on all new mobile devices.
This decision came after many people raised concerns about privacy.
The app was supposed to help fight cyber fraud, but critics argued that it collected personal data without the user's consent, which is a violation of privacy rights.
The Supreme Court has set rules that the government must follow when collecting personal data, and the DoT's directive did not meet these rules.
The withdrawal of the directive shows that the government acknowledged these concerns and is committed to protecting people's privacy.
The DoT mandated the pre-installation of the Sanchar Saathi app on all new mobile devices to combat cyber fraud.
The directive was withdrawn due to concerns about constitutional overreach and the lack of explicit user consent.
Critics argued that the app could access and transfer personal data without the user's knowledge or consent.
The Supreme Court's jurisprudence on privacy established a three-fold test for state measures involving personal data: legitimate state aim, clear law, and proportionality.
The DoT's directive failed the proportionality test as less intrusive alternatives, such as making the app optional, were available.
- Who
- Department of Telecommunications (DoT)
- What
- Withdrawal of the directive mandating the pre-installation of the Sanchar Saathi app on all new mobile devices
- When
- After intense scrutiny and legal challenges
- Where
- India
- Why
- Due to constitutional and privacy concerns, particularly the potential for unwarranted data collection and the failure to meet the proportionality test
- Department
- Department of Telecommunications (DoT)
- App Name
- Sanchar Saathi
- Controversy
- Privacy concerns over pre-installation and data access
- Withdrawal Reason
- Constitutional overreach and lack of explicit consent
- Legal Basis
- Right to Privacy under Article 21 of the Constitution
- Proportionality Test
- Legitimate State Aim, Clear Law, Proportionality
- Less Intrusive Alternatives
- Making the app optional or ensuring it remains dormant until user consent
- Significance
- Reinforces the principle that state action must adhere to constitutional safeguards