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Sanchar Saathi App: Why Scindia Says You Can Delete It Amid Snooping Fears

Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has clarified the government's stance on the Sanchar Saathi app in Parliament. He emphasized that the pre-installed app will not operate unless a user actively registers on it. Scindia directly addressed privacy concerns, stating that snooping is not possible and that citizens have the right to delete the app. The government has also expressed willingness to modify the directive based on public feedback.

Key Points: Scindia Clarifies Sanchar Saathi App is Optional, Can Be Deleted

  • Scindia refutes snooping claims, says app is inactive without user registration
  • The app was launched to enhance citizen safety amid misuse by some elements
  • Government is ready to amend the DoT order based on public feedback
  • Congress MP Hooda raised concerns about fully disabling a pre-installed app's features
3 min read

Can delete Sanchar Saathi; will not operate without registration: Jyotiraditya Scindia

Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia addresses privacy concerns in Lok Sabha, stating the pre-installed Sanchar Saathi app is inactive until user registration and can be deleted.

"I can delete it like any other app, as every citizen has this right in a democracy. - Jyotiraditya Scindia"

New Delhi, December 3

Union Minister of Communications, Jyotiraditya Scindia, on Wednesday reiterated that the Sanchar Saathi application can be deleted from mobile phones and will not be operational until the user registers on it.

Addressing the Lok Sabha, Scindia refuted the speculation around snooping after the Centre passed a directive to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app in mobile handsets.

Replying to a question by Congress MP Deepender Singh Hooda, the Union Minister said, "I want to keep all the facts in front of the nation. We have one billion (mobile) users, but there are elements who use it in a negative manner. It is the government's duty to keep the citizens safe. Sanchar Saathi portal was started in 2023 with this mind, and the app was brought in 2025... We decided to give a choice to all the citizens. If the app is on your phone, it does not mean it will operate automatically. Till the user registers in the app, it will not operate."

Scindia also said that the government is ready to bring a change in the order by the Department of Telecommunication (DoT) if the public feedback demands so.

"I can delete it like any other app, as every citizen has this right in a democracy. We took this step to make the app accessible to all. The success of the app is based on public participation. Based on the public feedback, we are ready to bring a change in the order. Snooping is not possible, nor will it be done," he added.

During the Question Hour, Deepender Singh Hooda raised concern, claiming that all the features of the app may not be disabled even if the user wanted.

"A directive for pre-installation of the Sanchar Saarthi app has been passed. The Union Minister said that it will be pre-installed, but later the user can delete it. However, when there is a pre-loaded app, even after disabling it, the users would not know if all the features have been disabled or not. Is it an attack on privacy? There are concerns over snooping," the Congress MP had asked.

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has mandated that the mobile handsets must have the pre-installed Sanchar Saathi application readily visible and accessible to end users at the time of first use or device setup, and its functionalities must not be disabled or restricted, the Ministry of Communications said in a statement Monday evening.

On Tuesday, the Opposition leaders flagged concerns over the directive, calling it a move to breach privacy, while Scindia maintained that the activation of the Sanchar Saathi app on mobile handsets is not mandatory, and it is fully up to the consumers to use it or delete it like any other app.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
The concern about features not being fully disabled is valid. Many pre-installed apps run in the background. The government should provide a simple, verifiable way for users to confirm the app is completely inactive if they choose not to use it. Transparency is key 🤔
A
Arjun K
Good step for security. We complain about spam calls and frauds, and when the government tries to do something, we cry privacy. At least they are saying it's optional and based on public feedback. Jai Hind!
S
Sarah B
As someone living in India for work, I appreciate the effort to curb misuse. But forcing pre-installation, even if deletable, sets a worrying precedent. The choice should be at the point of purchase, not something you have to remove later.
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Vikram M
The Minister's statement that they will change the order based on public feedback is reassuring. We should all participate in that feedback process responsibly instead of just opposing on social media. That's how democracy works.
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Deepender S
Hooda ji asked the right question. "Readily visible and accessible" as per the DoT mandate means it's being pushed onto our screens. The burden of proof that it does nothing should be on the government, not on the citizen to trust blindly.
K
Kavya N

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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