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Sanchar Saathi App: The central government stated that it is not mandatory to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app on all smartphones. Users can choose whether to download the app or not. Furthermore, users can remove the app from their phones at any time. The government recently ordered all smartphone companies to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app on their smartphones within 90 days. Within days of this decision, a heated debate erupted across the country regarding privacy, surveillance, and user freedom. Following protests, the Ministry of Communications stated that the app would not be made mandatory. The government claims that people are rapidly adopting the app, so it will now be kept voluntary.

Why the Decision Was Withdrawn
After the order was issued on December 1, the government was accused of potential surveillance and interference in user choice. The mandatory pre-installation of Sanchar Saathi raised concerns that the government would gain greater access to users' devices and data. In the face of mounting pressure and criticism, the Ministry of Communications announced the withdrawal of the order on December 3. The ministry stated that the app is solely meant to protect users from cyber fraud and does not have any monitoring mechanism.

According to the government, the "rapidly growing acceptance" of Sanchar Saathi is the main reason for withdrawing the mandatory pre-installation. The press release stated that 600,000 new registrations were received in a single day after the announcement, a tenfold increase from the normal figure. Launched in 2023, the app currently has 14 million users and reports approximately 2,000 cyber frauds daily. The government states that users are already downloading it, so there is no need to make it mandatory.

What is the Sanchar Saathi app, and why was there controversy?
The Sanchar Saathi app provides citizens with services such as reporting phones with fake or duplicate IMEI numbers, cyber fraud reporting, and suspicious call alerts. The DoT had directed it to be pre-installed on all new smartphones from March 2026 for security reasons. The controversy escalated because many experts argued that making any app mandatory by the government violates user freedom and privacy. The opposition also raised questions, calling it a potential surveillance tool.

What will happen now: Users will be able to install or uninstall it.
The government has clarified that the Sanchar Saathi app will now be completely voluntary, and no mobile manufacturer will pre-install it on phones. Users can download and remove it if they wish. The ministry maintains that the app is solely for security and fraud prevention, and has no other ulterior motive. The withdrawal of the order has put an end to the questions raised about privacy for the time being.

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