Sanchar Saathi App: Communications Minister Confirms Users Can Delete Pre-installed Cybersecurity App Amid Privacy Concerns

Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has clarified Sanchar Saathi can be deleted from phones

Amid the significant controversy surrounding the Centre's directive to phone manufacturers to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app on all phones sold in India, Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has provided clarification that mobile phone users will have the option to delete this app if they choose not to use it.

Responding to media inquiries about the new directions, Scindia stated, "Don't activate it (Sanchar Saathi). If you want to keep it in your phone, keep it. If you want to delete it, do so. For example, when you buy a phone, many apps come pre-installed. Google Maps comes too. Now, if you don't want to use Google Maps, delete it."

It should be noted that Google Maps cannot be deleted from Android phones, though it can be disabled. On iPhones, however, Google Maps can be completely deleted.

The minister emphasized that he was attempting to dispel misconceptions regarding Sanchar Saathi. "This is a matter of customer protection. There is nothing mandatory. If you do not want to register it, don't. It will stay dormant. And if you want to delete it, delete it. But not every person in the country knows that there is an app to protect him/her from fraud. So it is our responsibility to spread the information," he explained, outlining the reasoning behind the government's directive to phone manufacturers.

The Congress party has raised concerns about potential privacy risks resulting from the Centre's instructions to phone manufacturers. Senior Congress leader KC Venugopal has described the move as "beyond unconstitutional". "Big Brother cannot watch us. The Right to Privacy is an intrinsic part of the fundamental right to life and liberty, enshrined in Article 21 of the Constitution," he posted on X.

Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra referred to Sanchar Saathi as a "snooping app". "It's ridiculous. Citizens have the right to privacy. This isn't just about snooping on telephones - overall, they are turning this country into a dictatorship in every possible form," she stated. Priyanka Chaturvedi, Rajya Sabha MP from Shiv Sena (UBT), characterized the Centre's move as "another BIG BOSS surveillance moment".

Congress MP Karti Chidambaram criticized the government strongly. "This has been done in Russia and North Korea. They want to snoop on our private photos and videos," he told NDTV.

In response to the criticism, Scindia asserted that the Opposition is desperately searching for an issue. "It is the government's responsibility to shatter myths. That's what I am doing. In 2024, cyberfraud worth Rs 22,800 took place in our country. The opposition is asking us how we will stop fraud and when we are giving Sanchar Saathi to the common citizen, they are saying it is (snooping tool) Pegasus. We cannot show truth to those who don't want to see it," he concluded.