Congress says the move is to “strangulate” the people
Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia | Photo Credit: SUSHIL KUMAR VERMA
The government backtracked after surveillance concerns and political furore over a Department of Telecommunications directive to smartphone manufacturers to pre-install Sanchar Saathi app on new mobile phones with Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia asserting on Tuesday that the use of the app is entirely voluntary and it is up to the users to either keep or delete it.
Speaking to reporters outside Parliament where the winter session is currently under way, Scindia said: There is no snooping, no call monitoring. If you want, you can activate it. If you want to keep it on your phone, then keep it. If you want to delete it, you can delete it. It is entirely voluntary.”
“When you buy a phone, it comes with many apps. You get google maps, you get other apps. You can delete them if you don’t want. If you want, you can delete Sanchar Saathi. This is about consumer protection. It is not mandatory. If you don’t want to register, don’t register,” he said.
Scindia said the app was deemed necessary because people are at risk of being attacked by hackers or have their phones stolen. He said Sanchar Saathi app has helped disconnect 1.;45 crore mobile connections and trace about 20 lakh stolen phones. Over 7.5 lakh stolen phones have been returned to their rightful owners with the help of Sanchar Saathi.
However, there was no retraction or any other written order to rescind the November 28 directive to smartphone manufacturers which clearly said that the app cannot be disabled. It directed smartphone manufacturers to “ensure that the pre-installed Sanchar Saathi application is readily visible and accessible to the end users at the time of first use or device setup and that its functionalities are not disabled or restricted.”
While there was no official word from the smartphone manufacturers, Reuters quoted sources in Apple to say that the company does not plan to comply with the DoT mandate to pre-install Sanchar Saarthi.
Congress’ reaction
Besides internet privacy advocates and activists who protested about surveillance concerns, the DoT directive caused strong political response. In a message, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said it was an attempt to “strangulate” the voice of the people.
“Modi government’s unilateral directions to preload this app without taking into confidence various stakeholders and citizens is akin to dictatorship. Why does the government want to know what citizens talk with their family and friends?” Kharge asked.
If you want to keep it on your phone, then keep it. If you want to delete it, you can delete it. It is entirely voluntary.”Jyotiraditya Scindia Telecom Minister
Published on December 2, 2025
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