Centre withdraws mandatory Sanchar Saathi pre-installation rule after public pushback
Earlier mandate had sparked intense debate, with critics warning of possible surveillance risks & data privacy violations
PTC Web Desk: The Central Government on Wednesday rolled back its directive requiring mobile phone manufacturers to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app on all new devices, following widespread public criticism.
The decision came after Union Minister for Communications and Development of the North Eastern Region, Jyotiraditya Scindia, addressed concerns in the Lok Sabha earlier in the day. The minister stated that the government is open to revising the platform’s guidelines in line with citizen feedback.
Emphasising that “snooping is neither possible through the Sanchar Saathi app, nor will it ever be,” Scindia assured Parliament that the application works only after user registration. He stressed that individuals retain complete freedom to install or delete the app at any time.
Scindia highlighted that the initiative’s primary objective is to strengthen digital safety and empower users. He added that the government remains committed to a participatory approach, where citizens’ suggestions guide policy improvements.
Responding to opposition concerns regarding privacy and potential misuse, the minister described Sanchar Saathi as a crucial cybersecurity tool that enables people to safeguard their mobile identity. The earlier mandate had sparked intense debate, with critics warning of possible surveillance risks, data privacy violations and questioning the constitutional validity of compulsory installation.
According to the government, Sanchar Saathi was developed to make cybersecurity accessible to all, with features such as reporting fraudulent activities and tracking lost devices. Authorities reiterated that the app has no hidden functions beyond protecting users from cyber threats.
A Press Information Bureau release added that the platform enhances public participation or “Jan Bhagidari” in combating cyber fraud by enabling citizens to flag suspicious activities. The government clarified that users can uninstall the application at their discretion.
The release also noted rapid growth in its adoption. So far, 1.4 crore people have downloaded the app. In the last 24 hours alone, six lakh new users registered, marking a tenfold surge. Officials described this spike as a strong vote of confidence from citizens seeking digital security.