Jyotiraditya Scindia Says Sanchar Saathi App Optional, Critics Point to Contradictory Government Directive

Union Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia attempted to calm public concerns over the government’s Sanchar Saathi mobile application on Tuesday, calling it optional for users and stating that it can be deleted at will. However, digital rights advocates and netizens quickly flagged that his statement conflicts with an official Department of Telecom (DoT) directive requiring the app’s pre-installation and mandatory functionality on all new devices.

Minister’s Statement vs Official Directive

Scindia said,

“If you want to activate it, do so. If you do not want to activate it, don’t. Delete it if you wish. It is entirely your choice.”

The minister’s comments were aimed at addressing fears of state surveillance and privacy violations that emerged after the DoT directed mobile manufacturers and importers to pre-install the fraud-reporting app on all new devices within 90 days.

However, Clause 7(b) of the Telecommunications (Telecom Cyber Security) Rules, 2024 states:

“Ensure that the pre-installed Sanchar Saathi application is readily visible and accessible to the end users at the time of first use or device setup and that its functionalities are not disabled or restricted.”

This has led to widespread confusion online, with many users questioning whether the minister’s reassurance or the official directive should be followed.

Concerns and Criticism

The move sparked a major backlash, with critics raising concerns about potential state surveillance and misuse of personal data. Opposition parties described the directive as a step toward a “de facto dictatorship.”

The Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF), a digital rights advocacy organization, countered Scindia’s statement, emphasizing that the minister’s clarification is inaccurate. The IFF reiterated that the official circular explicitly prohibits disabling or restricting the Sanchar Saathi app’s functions.

As the debate continues, users and privacy experts are urging the government to clarify the app’s mandatory functionalities and privacy safeguards to avoid further confusion.