Amid the growing political storm over the Centre’s directive asking mobile phone makers to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app on all new devices, Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has clarified that the app is not mandatory and users are free to delete it if they choose.

Minister says app is optional, aims to protect users

Responding to concerns flagged by the Opposition over alleged surveillance risks, Scindia said users will have full control over the app. He compared it to other pre-installed apps that users can choose to keep or remove.

“Don’t activate it. If you want to keep it in your phone, keep it. If you want to delete it, do so,” he said, adding that the app will remain dormant if not used.

The minister emphasised that Sanchar Saathi is designed to safeguard citizens against cyber fraud. “This is a matter of customer protection. There is nothing mandatory. If you do not want to register it, don’t. And if you want to delete it, delete it,” he said, noting that many people are unaware such a tool exists.

Opposition flags privacy concerns, calls move “surveillance”

Congress leaders have accused the government of enabling intrusive monitoring.

• KC Venugopal said the decision was “beyond unconstitutional”, citing the fundamental right to privacy.
  
• Priyanka Gandhi Vadra called Sanchar Saathi a “snooping app”, saying citizens’ privacy was under threat.
  
• Priyanka Chaturvedi termed it “another surveillance moment”.
  
• Karti Chidambaram alleged the move mirrored actions in authoritarian regimes.
  

Government rejects criticism, cites rising cyber fraud

Countering Opposition remarks, Scindia said the government was attempting to clear misconceptions. He stated that cyber fraud worth ₹22,800 crore took place in 2024, and Sanchar Saathi was developed to help citizens report fraud, track lost phones, and prevent misuse of telecom resources.

“When we are giving Sanchar Saathi to the common citizen, they are saying it is Pegasus. We cannot show truth to those who don’t want to see it,” Scindia said.

The Centre’s direction asking mobile phone manufacturers to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app on all new and imported devices has triggered a sharp political confrontation, with Opposition parties alleging that the move paves the way for state surveillance. The government, however, maintains that the directive is meant to strengthen citizen protection against cyber fraud and assist in recovering lost or stolen devices.

What Sanchar Saathi offers

Sanchar Saathi is a Central digital safety platform that provides several citizen-oriented services through its app and web portal. One of its key features, Chakshu, allows users to report suspected cyber fraud or commercial spam calls. The platform also helps flag malicious website links, phishing attempts, device cloning, and fraudulent communication received via SMS, RCS, iMessage and social media platforms including WhatsApp and Telegram.

The website associated with the app states that such proactive reporting aids the Department of Telecommunications in preventing misuse of telecom resources for cybercrime and financial fraud.

What the Centre has mandated

The Department of Telecommunications, under the Ministry of Communications led by Jyotiraditya Scindia, has instructed mobile phone manufacturers to pre-install Sanchar Saathi in all devices produced or imported in India within 90 days from November 28. The notice also directs companies to ensure the app is visible during initial device setup and that its functions cannot be disabled.

For phones already manufactured, the app must be added through software updates. The government has warned that non-compliance will attract action.

Opposition raises privacy concerns

Political criticism intensified soon after the directive was issued. Congress leader KC Venugopal termed the move “beyond unconstitutional”, asserting that a pre-loaded government application that cannot be removed infringes on citizens’ right to privacy under Article 21. He argued that such an app could enable monitoring of individual activities and demanded an immediate rollback.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi also criticised the decision, describing it as “another BIG BOSS surveillance moment”. She said such measures would be opposed, arguing that the government should focus on stronger grievance-redressal systems instead of creating surveillance mechanisms.

Industry concerns surface

A report by media suggests the directive may lead to friction with major phonemakers, particularly Apple, which has previously resisted similar requirements citing user privacy and security. Apple, Samsung and Xiaomi did not respond to queries, nor did the Communications Ministry.

Two industry sources told media that manufacturers were not consulted before the order was issued.

According to figures displayed on the Sanchar Saathi website, the platform has enabled the blocking of 42 lakh stolen phones and helped in recovering 26 lakh devices. The app has recorded over 1 crore downloads on Android and nearly 10 lakh on iOS.

Grassroots poll workers in West Bengal erupted in anger on Monday as hundreds of booth-level officers (BLOs) gathered outside the Chief Electoral Officer’s (CEO) office in Kolkata, protesting long hours, low pay and mounting pressure during the ongoing revision of voter lists. The agitation, organised by the BLO Adhikar Raksha Committee, sparked tense scenes as protesters clashed with police deployed in riot gear.

Protest intensifies amid police barricades

According to visuals shared by media, a large crowd of BLOs pushed against barricades, demanding relief from what they allege are harsh conditions under the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Several participants attempted to break through police lines while chanting slogans against the state administration.

The protest escalated just before Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari and a group of BJP MLAs arrived for a scheduled meeting at the CEO’s office. As the police cordoned off the area, opposing slogan-shouting bouts erupted between BJP workers and the BLOs’ group, forcing officers to maintain tight control.

Despite the commotion, Adhikari managed to enter the building with other BJP leaders.

BJP slams Trinamool over BLO payments

After the meeting, Adhikari criticised the state government’s stance on the SIR exercise, questioning why the administration would object to the revision process while continuing to pay honorariums to booth-level officers.

Meanwhile, there has been no official response from the ruling Trinamool Congress or the Bengal government on the unrest.

Workers flag stress, low pay and rising deaths

BLOs—responsible for door-to-door verification of voter details, adding new voters and correcting entries—said they are burdened with targets and forced to travel long distances while juggling regular day jobs. Their current honorarium stands at just ₹1,000 per month.

In recent weeks, deaths of BLOs have been reported from multiple states, highlighting severe stress linked to the re-verification process. One widely shared case involved a 46-year-old school teacher from Uttar Pradesh’s Moradabad, who recorded a video apologising to his family before his death.

SIR sparks political, legal dispute ahead of elections

With West Bengal headed for Assembly elections in the coming months, the voter roll re-verification drive has triggered a storm of allegations. The opposition, including the Trinamool Congress, has accused the Election Commission and the BJP-led central government of manipulating electoral rolls for political gains.