‘Sanchar Saathi Won’t Track Data’: Govt Fact-Checks Opposition’s ‘Snooping’ Charge

Sanchar Saathi’ App | Representative Image

Amid a political row over the decision to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app on all new mobile phones, the government on Tuesday said the application will “not monitor user activity, nor will it function as a surveillance tool.”

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) stated that the app’s sole purpose is to secure mobile identities, without accessing or tracking personal data.

“Sanchar Saathi App will come pre-installed, but that will not mean it’s watching you. It will not act as a surveillance tool, and it will not track your data in any way. Its only job will be to protect your mobile identity without accessing your personal information,” DoT said.

The clarification came after the opposition launched sharp attacks, alleging that the government was attempting to introduce a “snooping mechanism” comparable to Pegasus.

Earlier, the DoT had informed manufacturers that Sanchar Saathi must come pre-loaded on handsets sold in India and could not be deleted or disabled by users.

The directive triggered a political storm, prompting Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia to issue a public clarification.

“If you don’t want Sanchar Saathi, you can delete it. It is optional,” Scindia said, according to YEARS. “It is our duty to introduce this app to everyone, but keeping it on the device is entirely up to the user.”

The app is part of what the DoT described as a broader effort to curb the misuse of IMEI numbers and improve cybersecurity.

In addition to new handsets, the department had also advised companies to push a software update, installing the app on phones already in circulation.

Opposition leaders, however, continue to voice concerns. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra called the directive “dictatorial” and labelled the app a “snooping tool,” insisting that citizens must have the freedom to communicate without fear of government intrusion.

Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor adopted a balanced stance, saying such tools can serve the public interest if they remain voluntary.

“Making anything compulsory in a democracy is troubling,” he said, adding that the government should explain the rationale behind the move instead of issuing orders without public consultation.

According to the government, Sanchar Saathi is a “citizen-centric initiative” aimed at empowering mobile users and enhancing device security.

The ministry maintains that the app does not, and cannot, access private communications or user data.

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