Sanchar Sathi App Not Mandatory, Users Free to Delete It, Says Union Minister Scindia

The government has issued a clarification amid nationwide questions about the Sanchar Sathi app. Following the DoT's decision, mobile users were concerned about whether this government app is mandatory or not and whether it can be removed from their phones. Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has now made a significant statement on this matter.

He clearly stated that the Sanchar Sathi app is completely optional, and users who do not wish to use it can delete it from their mobile phones at any time. Amid controversy and accusations, the government has described it as a security initiative, while the opposition considers it a threat to privacy.

What did Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia say?

Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said, "It is our duty to make this app available to everyone. Whether to keep it on the phone or not is entirely the user's choice... It can be removed like any other app." Scindia stated that this app will help ensure customer safety.

Rejecting the opposition's allegations, the minister stated that the app does not engage in any form of spying or call monitoring. He said, "You can activate or deactivate it at your own will. If you don't want to keep Sanchar Sathi, delete it. It's optional... It's entirely about consumer safety. I want to clear all misconceptions."

Sanchar Sathi App Provides Safety to Users - Minister Scindia

Scindia also targeted the opposition for criticizing the government over the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) directives. He said, "When the opposition doesn't have issues, they try to find them. Our job is to help consumers and ensure their safety. The Sanchar Sathi App provides security to every consumer... The Sanchar Sathi portal has over 200 million users, and the app has received over 15 million downloads."

Emphasizing the app's benefits, he explained that approximately 17.5 million fake mobile connections were blocked with Sanchar Sathi's help. He also stated that nearly 2 million stolen phones have been traced, and over 7.5 lakh phones have been returned to their owners—all thanks to Sanchar Sathi.

On November 28, the Ministry of Telecommunications issued new guidelines aimed at protecting citizens from purchasing counterfeit mobile phones, simplifying the reporting of telecom-related abuses, and making the Sanchar Sathi initiative more effective. The Ministry clarified that these guidelines will be mandatory to implement within 90 days, while mobile manufacturing companies will have to submit a compliance report within 120 days.

The Sanchar Sathi portal and mobile app provide users with several important features, such as verifying the authenticity of a phone by IMEI number, filing a cyber fraud complaint, reporting a stolen or lost mobile phone, viewing all mobile connections issued in their name, and obtaining verified contact details of various banks/financial institutions.

Meanwhile, the opposition has targeted the initiative, alleging that the app violates citizens' privacy. Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra even called Sanchar Sathi a “spy app” and said that the Narendra Modi government is pushing the country towards dictatorship.