New Delhi: Amid fierce criticism from the Opposition in Parliament’s Winter Session, the Central government has softened its stance on the mandatory pre-installation of the Sanchar Saathi app on all new smartphones. Union Minister for Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia clarified on Tuesday that the application is optional for consumers and can be deleted by users like any other app. The clarification came after Opposition parties, led by the Congress, raised alarm in both Houses of Parliament, alleging the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) directive was an attempt at “mass surveillance” and a violation of the fundamental right to privacy.
Minister Assures No Snooping, Highlights Anti-Fraud Features
Responding to the charges, Minister Scindia, speaking to reporters outside Parliament, vehemently dismissed allegations of snooping or call monitoring.
“If you want to delete it, then delete it. If you don’t want to use it, then don’t register it. If you register it, then it will remain active. If you don’t register it, then it will remain inactive,” Scindia stated, stressing that the activation of the app is entirely voluntary. The Minister maintained that the app’s sole purpose is to protect citizens from cyber frauds, stolen phones, and the misuse of duplicate IMEI numbers. He highlighted the app’s track record, stating that the platform has helped disconnect approximately 2.75 crore fraudulent mobile connections and trace nearly 20 lakh stolen phones to date.
Opposition Terms Move ‘Unconstitutional’
The DoT’s recent order instructed mobile phone manufacturers and importers to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app on devices within 90 days. This directive drew immediate fire from the Opposition.
- Congress MP Randeep Singh Surjewala sought a formal discussion in the Rajya Sabha, citing “privacy and security risks” and demanding clarification on the legal authority for mandating a non-removable app.
- Other Opposition leaders, including Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, likened the move to the Pegasus spyware row, calling it a “snooping app” and a step towards “dictatorship.”
- CPI(M) MP V Sivadasan condemned the directive as a “violation of the fundamental right to privacy” and an excuse for mass surveillance.
Uncertainty Over Deletion and Compliance
Despite the Minister’s assurances that users can delete the app, some ambiguity remains regarding the DoT’s November 21 order, which mandated that the app’s functionalities “are not disabled or restricted.”
Government sources have clarified that this specific clause is a direction to manufacturers to ensure they do not hide or cripple the pre-installed application, and it is not a restriction on end-users from uninstalling it. The Centre’s clarification aims to diffuse the political tension surrounding the issue, even as industry players and privacy advocates continue to raise concerns over the principle of mandatory pre-installation.
