Sanchar Saathi App Optional, Says Minister Amid Debate Over Mandatory Preload Rule

Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Tuesday clarified that the government’s Sanchar Saathi app—now mandated to be preloaded on all new smartphones—is entirely optional for users. Speaking outside Parliament, he stressed that the app can be deleted at any time and works only after a user activates it. The clarification comes after widespread criticism following the Department of Telecommunications’ (DoT) order requiring all phones manufactured or imported after December 1 to carry the app by default.

Sanchar Saathi, launched in 2023, is part of the government’s digital security ecosystem and aims to protect users from phone theft, fraud, cloned devices and unsafe links. Through the app, users can verify device authenticity, check mobile numbers issued in their name, report suspicious activities, and block stolen phones by getting their IMEI disabled across networks. Officials argue that universal preloading will give citizens immediate access to essential cyber safety tools and help law enforcement respond faster to complaints.

However, the directive has triggered a strong backlash from political leaders, digital rights groups and cybersecurity experts. Opposition leaders have accused the government of overreach, warning that compulsory system-level apps could pave the way for mass surveillance. Experts have voiced concerns about elevated permissions, potential over-the-air updates that might expand access without transparency, and the general risks associated with undeletable system apps. While the government defends the move as a step toward enhanced public safety, critics say it raises serious questions about privacy, user consent and the expanding role of the state in personal digital devices.

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