Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Tuesday issued a strong clarification on the Sanchar Saathi app after a Reuters report claimed the government had directed smartphone manufacturers to preload the cybersecurity app on all new devices — and prevent users from uninstalling it.

Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Scindia said the claims were incorrect and asserted that the Sanchar Saathi app remains “completely optional” for users.

“The app is completely optional. If you want to delete it, you can. If you don’t wish to register, you shouldn’t register and can remove it anytime,” the minister said. He further added that the app does not enable any kind of surveillance.

“The app does not allow snooping or call monitoring,” Scindia said, dismissing privacy-related concerns that had begun circulating in political and public discussions.

Reuters Report Sparks Concerns

The clarification came hours after Reuters reported that it had reviewed a government order dated November 28, which allegedly instructed major smartphone makers to ensure the Sanchar Saathi app was pre-installed on all new phones within 90 days, with no option for users to disable it.

The report also claimed that companies were told to push the app via software updates to devices already in the supply chain.

The report triggered a debate, with the opposition raising questions over privacy, user choice, and the government’s intentions. The ministry’s swift response suggests an attempt to quell rising concerns.

What Sanchar Saathi Does

Introduced by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) in January 2025, the Sanchar Saathi mobile app builds on the existing web portal to offer real-time protection against identity theft, forged KYC, SIM fraud, and phone theft.

The app’s core features include:

  • Block & track lost or stolen smartphones across all telecom networks
  • Identify and disconnect fraudulent mobile connections linked to a user
  • Verify device authenticity to prevent counterfeit phones entering circulation
  • Assist police in tracking stolen devices through a central device registry

According to government data:

  • Over 7 lakh lost phones have been recovered through the system
  • 50,000 phones were recovered in October alone
  • More than 3.7 million stolen/lost devices have been blocked
  • 30 million fraudulent mobile connections have been terminated
  • 5 million+ downloads have been recorded since launch

The app supports Hindi and 21 regional languages, making it accessible nationwide in one of the world’s largest telecom markets, with more than 1.2 billion subscribers.