The debate intensified as people questioned why a government app must be placed on personal devices without prior consent. (Photo: ANI)
The government’s decision to preload the Sanchar Saathi app on all new smartphones created a storm of questions about privacy and user autonomy. A day later, Union Minister for Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia issued a clear clarification. He said, “If you don't want Sanchar Saathi, you can delete it. It is optional.”
He added that the government only wants to introduce the app to users. “It is our duty to introduce this app to everyone. Keeping it in their devices or not is up to the user,” he said.
His statement aims to calm the backlash that followed the pre-installation directive.
The app was designed to help users report lost phones, block stolen devices, and track fake mobile connections. However, the move to place it compulsorily on all smartphones triggered immediate criticism. Many users feared the app would stay permanently on their devices and could pose privacy risks.
Technology analysts, digital-rights groups, and opposition leaders expressed concerns about the possibility of surveillance, misuse of permissions, and lack of transparency about how user data might be processed.
The debate intensified as people questioned why a government app must be placed on personal devices without prior consent.
The mandate requires phone manufacturers to preload the app on all new devices. It also asks brands to include the app through software updates wherever possible. The idea, according to officials, is to strengthen digital security, curb telecom fraud, and make it easier for citizens to block stolen phones.
But the order did not clearly explain whether the app would be removable. This gap triggered a wave of confusion, leading to Scindia’s clarification.
Scindia’s announcement now confirms that users will have full control. They can keep the app, use it when needed, or delete it entirely.
This may soften the criticism, but several privacy concerns remain unanswered. Users still want clarity on:
For now, the minister’s assurance offers some clarity, but the larger debate over government-mandated apps is far from over.
