Not compulsory: Scindia

After a storm of protests alleging the app was meant to snoop, Communications Minister clarifies that it is up to the user to delete the app

- Agencies

A political storm intensified on Tuesday over the Centre's move to mandate pre-installation of the Sanchar Saathi app on all new mobile handsets, even as multiple Opposition parties termed the directive unconstitutional, intrusive and a step toward turning India into a “surveillance state.” Ultimately, Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia clarified that users are free to delete the app.

Days after the Ministry of Communications asked smartphone makers to preload the state-run cybersecurity app and ensure its functionalities are not disabled, Scindia said the app remained entirely voluntary for users. He told reporters outside Parliament that “If you want to keep it on your phone, then keep it. If you want to delete it, then delete it. If you register it, then it will remain active. If you don't register it, then it will remain inactive.” His remark came amid growing concerns after the November 28 directive that all newly manufactured or imported mobile phones must carry the app, and that companies should “make efforts” to push the app onto devices already in the market via software updates. Critics fear the app could be used to read user messages. The Congress called Sanchar Saathi a “snooping app,” while the government maintained it is crucial to curb cyber fraud and verify the authenticity of mobile devices.

Scindia strongly denied any surveillance intent. “There is no snooping on the basis of this, nor is there any call monitoring,” he said, adding that some Opposition leaders were trying to “find an issue out of nowhere.”

He said the app empowers citizens to check whether a handset's IMEI number is genuine and to report fraudulent connections or stolen devices.