The Union Government has dismissed concerns that the Sanchar Saathi app could be used for surveillance, with Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia stating in Parliament on Wednesday that such use is “not possible.”
During the Lok Sabha question hour, Scindia emphasized that the app is designed to empower citizens and help them protect themselves from cyber fraud.
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) issued an order on 28 November 2025, mandating mobile phone manufacturers to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app on all devices sold in India. The directive also requires the app to be visible and accessible to users during first use or device setup, without disabling any functionalities.
Speaking outside Parliament, Minister of State for Communications Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar stated that the app is the government’s “only way” to help prevent cyber fraud. He added that the app gathers useful information to assist vulnerable groups, particularly the elderly and underprivileged, and is available in all major vernacular languages.
Scindia clarified earlier that installation of the app is not mandatory, and users are free to delete it at any time. He also highlighted that Apple and Google have verified the app before its release on their respective stores.
The Sanchar Saathi portal, launched in May 2023, enables citizens to:
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Check mobile connections linked to their IDs
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Report fraudulent numbers
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Trace lost or stolen phones
The mobile app, launched in 2025, is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to combat cybercrime and enhance user security.
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