Sanchar Saathi app: The government had earlier mandated that all mobile phone manufacturers and importers ‘pre-install’ the ‘Sanchar Saathi’ application on devices sold and used in India. The Department of Telecommunications stated through a public order. But is it mandatory? Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has clarified about the Sanchar Saathi app. He said that the app is not mandatory for users.
What Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said
“The app is completely optional. If you want to delete it, you can. If you don’t wish to register, you shouldn’t register and can remove it anytime,” Scindia said in conversation with reporters outside the Parliament, adding that the platform does not enable snooping or call monitoring.
The government had earlier mandated that all mobile phone manufacturers and importers ‘pre-install’ the ‘Sanchar saathi’ app.
FAQs
Is Sanchar Saathi mandatory?
No, the Ministry of Communications, led by Jyotiraditya Scindia, has said that those who don’t want the app can delete it.
What centre told phonemakers earlier
The Department of Telecommunications, under the Ministry of Communications, led by Jyotiraditya Scindia, has directed mobile phone manufacturers to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app on all handsets made or imported in India. This directive must be implemented within 90 days, starting from November 28.
As per the order, companies have been given three months to comply with the new mandate, though industry executives anticipate pushback – especially since users will not be able to delete the app once it is preinstalled. Manufacturers have been given 90 days to implement these changes and must submit a compliance report within 120 days.
The government’s directive also includes pushing the app through over-the-air software updates to phones that have already been sold. According to the government, this move comes against the backdrop of India’s large second-hand market, where stolen or blacklisted devices are often resold, potentially making unsuspecting buyers accessories to crimes.
