Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has firmly rejected all allegations surrounding the government’s Sanchar Saathi app, stating that snooping is “not possible” under any circumstance. His clarification comes at a time when concerns and social media debates have created confusion about the purpose of Sanchar Saathi. Scindia emphasised that the government’s real intention is to empower citizens with secure digital tools, making their mobile usage safer through Sanchar Saathi.
During the Question Hour in Lok Sabha, Scindia addressed the claims head-on. He stated that the government aims to equip users with stronger digital protection mechanisms and Sanchar Saathi has been created exactly for that reason. The minister insisted that no feature in the app enables surveillance, dismissing misconceptions and confirming that Sanchar Saathi is designed solely for user safety and fraud prevention.
Ministers Explain Why the App Is Needed
The concerns emerged after the Department of Telecommunications issued an order on November 28 mandating pre-installation of the Sanchar Saathi app in new handsets and pushing it to existing devices via software update. This triggered questions about privacy, but the government clarified that the app’s features are transparent, visible, and cannot be secretly activated.
Minister of State for Communications Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar also backed Scindia’s explanation. He urged people to download Sanchar Saathi themselves before believing rumours. According to him, the app is one of the strongest tools available to combat cyber fraud, especially cases that target senior citizens and vulnerable communities. He stressed that the app is built in multiple vernacular languages to make it accessible for everyone, which further highlights why Sanchar Saathi is necessary.
Verified and User-Controlled
The minister also pointed out that both Apple and Google have verified and approved Sanchar Saathi for their app stores. He added that users still have the choice to delete it, reaffirming that there is no hidden intent or compulsion linked to Sanchar Saathi.
FAQs
Q1. What did Scindia say about Sanchar Saathi?
He clarified that snooping is not possible and Sanchar Saathi is designed only for user protection.
Q2. Why was Sanchar Saathi made mandatory on new devices?
The government wants to make its safety tools easily accessible to all users through Sanchar Saathi.
Q3. Can a user delete the Sanchar Saathi app?
Yes, the minister confirmed that users can remove Sanchar Saathi if they choose.
Q4. How does Sanchar Saathi help prevent fraud?
The app assists in blocking stolen devices, verifying numbers, and reducing cybercrime attempts.
