New Delhi, Dec 03 : In a major policy reversal, the Union government on Wednesday withdrew its earlier directive mandating the pre-installation of the Sanchar Saathi app on all new mobile phones sold in India. The decision follows nationwide uproar and criticism over privacy concerns and allegations of potential government surveillance.
Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia had earlier assured Parliament that the app does not have any surveillance capability and will not activate unless a user voluntarily registers. “Snooping is neither possible nor will it happen with the Sanchar Saathi safety app,” he said.
In its revised order, the government clarified that the pre-installation was initially aimed at empowering citizens with cybersecurity tools. The app allows users to report fraudulent activities and protect themselves from telecom related cyber threats. Importantly, it can be uninstalled at any time.
The government noted that around 1.4 crore users have already downloaded the app, contributing to reports of approximately 2,000 fraud incidents daily. The pre-installation mandate had accelerated adoption, with 6 lakh new registrations recorded in a single day—highlighting public trust in the app.
With the app’s growing popularity, the government decided it is no longer necessary to make pre-installation mandatory for mobile manufacturers. For devices already sold, manufacturers are instructed to offer the app via future software updates.
The move comes after strong opposition criticism regarding privacy and potential misuse of user data, prompting the government to emphasize that the Sanchar Saathi app is strictly designed for user protection and participation in reporting cyber threats.