The central government on Wednesday rolled back Sanchar Saathi App preloading order amid surveillance row. The government said that smartphone manufacturers will not have to pre-install the App in all new mobile devices.
Scindia clarifies on snooping allegation
While speaking in Lok Sabha, Union telecom minister Jyotiraditya Scindia clarified over snooping intent, saying “Snooping is neither possible, nor will it ever be”.
He wrote on X, “Neither snooping is possible through the Sanchar Saathi app nor will it ever be. The government of the Honorable Prime Minister Shri @narendramodiji is committed to giving the public full control and authority over their security. The success of #SancharSaathiApp and its widespread use is the result of the trust and participation of the public. We are always ready to make necessary improvements in the rules based on suggestions and feedback received from citizens.”
संचार साथी ऐप से न तो snooping संभव है और न ही कभी होगी। आदरणीय प्रधानमंत्री श्री @narendramodi जी की सरकार जनता को अपनी सुरक्षा पर पूरा नियंत्रण और अधिकार देने के लिए प्रतिबद्ध है।#SancharSaathiApp की सफलता और उसका व्यापक उपयोग जनता के भरोसे और सहभागिता का परिणाम है। हम… pic.twitter.com/OUPwFtL3Uy
— Jyotiraditya M. Scindia (@JM_Scindia) December 3, 2025
Govt’s earlier directive on Sanchar Saathi
Earlier, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) had directed the all smartphones manufacturers to preload the App under the Telecommunication Cybersecurity Amendment Rules. The DoT had made it mandatory for the companies to have pre-installed Sanchar Saathi cybersecurity App.
Sanchar Saathi App
The DoT said, “Sanchar Saathi App is built to empower every mobile user, not monitor them. The app is fully voluntary, activates only after user consent, and can be deleted anytime. With transparent tools, fraud protection features, and lakhs of stolen phones traced, Sanchar Saathi continues to strengthen digital safety through true Jan Bhaagidaari. A secure digital ecosystem begins with informed citizens and Sanchar Saathi is here to support that journey.”
‘App can be deleted at any time’
The union minister clarified, stating Sanchar Saathi is completely democratic and fully voluntary. He added that users can activate the app at their convenience to access its benefits, and they may deactivate or delete it from their devices at any time.
