Archive · 3 Dec 2025
Government Withdraws Mandatory Sanchar Saathi App
The Indian government initially made the Sanchar Saathi app mandatory on all new smartphones to help people protect their phones and personal information.
However, after many people and politicians raised concerns about privacy and potential government surveillance, the government decided to make the app optional.
The government says the app is secure and can be deleted if users don't want it.
The app has already helped find stolen phones and stop fraud.
Some politicians and activists are still worried about privacy and are asking more questions about the app.
The Indian government initially mandated the pre-installation of the Sanchar Saathi app on all new smartphones to enhance cybersecurity.
The government later withdrew the mandatory requirement due to increasing voluntary downloads and public acceptance.
The app is designed to help users manage digital identities, report suspicious activity, and safeguard devices.
Opposition leaders and activists raised concerns about privacy and potential government surveillance, comparing the app to the Pegasus spyware.
The government assured that the app cannot be used for snooping and can be deleted at any time, but critics argued that the initial directive contradicted these assurances.
- Who
- Indian Government, Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, Opposition leaders, and activists
- What
- Controversy over the mandatory installation of the Sanchar Saathi app and subsequent withdrawal of the mandate
- When
- December 3, 2025
- Where
- India
- Why
- To enhance cybersecurity and protect users from telecom fraud, but faced opposition due to privacy concerns
Government
Opposition and Activists
Mandatory Installation
Government
The government initially mandated the pre-installation of the Sanchar Saathi app to ensure cybersecurity for all citizens, but later withdrew the requirement due to increasing voluntary downloads.
Opposition and Activists
Opposition leaders and activists argued that mandatory installation violates privacy rights and could enable government surveillance.
App Functionality and Privacy
Government
The government assured that the app is secure, purely for user protection, and can be deleted at any time. It emphasized that snooping is neither possible nor will happen through the app.
Opposition and Activists
Critics, including the Internet Freedom Foundation, contended that the app's functionalities cannot be disabled or restricted, raising concerns about potential surveillance and the erosion of digital privacy.
Public Feedback and Trust
Government
The government highlighted the rapid increase in voluntary downloads, indicating public trust and acceptance of the app, which led to the withdrawal of the mandatory installation requirement.
Opposition and Activists
Opposition leaders questioned the government's assurances, arguing that the initial directive contradicted verbal assurances and raised serious concerns about privacy and potential misuse.
- App Name
- Sanchar Saathi
- Developer
- Department of Telecommunications (DoT)
- Platforms
- Android and Apple devices, web portal
- Purpose
- Digital identity management, fraud reporting, device safeguarding
- Downloads
- 1.5 crore
- Stolen Handsets Traced
- 26 lakh
- Stolen Handsets Returned
- 7 lakh
- Fraudulent Connections Disconnected
- 41 lakh
- Frauds Blocked
- 6 lakh
Sources
Snooping not possible with Sanchar Saathi app: Scindia
"Snooping Is Not Possible": Centre Doubles Down On Sanchar Saathi App
Sanchar Saathi: Ready to make changes in order; snooping will never happen, says Scindia in LS
Congress Slams BJP’s ‘Sanchar Saathi’ App Mandate as ‘Orwellian’ Overreach, Demands Rollback
Sanchar Saathi downloads surge 10-fold to six lakh in single day after Centre directs pre-installation on phones
Govt blinks, says Sanchar Saathi not mandatory, Opp tears into ‘verbal assurances’
Govt Withdraws Mandatory Pre-Installation of Sanchar Saathi App
Scindia says snooping not possible with Sanchar Saathi app
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India Does Need Something Like Sanchar Saathi
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Rush Hour: Centre withdraws order on mandatory phone app, rupee sinks to low of 90 and more
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After backlash, government withdraws directive requiring Sanchar Saathi app on all new smartphones
