“Sanchar Saathi App Not Mandatory, Can Be Deleted Anytime,” Clarifies Telecom Minister
Union Minister for Telecom and Communications, Jyotiraditya Scindia , on Tuesday clarified that the Sanchar Saathi app is entirely optional, addressing concerns over its supposed mandatory installation. “Users can delete the app at any time. It only works after a person chooses to activate it,” he said, emphasising that the government’s role is only to provide a tool for public safety.
Scindia explained that keeping the app on a phone is fully up to the user. He rejected claims suggesting compulsory installation, stating, “Our duty is to help consumers and ensure their safety. The Sanchar Saathi app enables every user to monitor their devices for security issues.”
Highlighting the app’s practical impact, Scindia noted that the Sanchar Saathi portal has over 20 crore downloads, and the mobile app has more than 1.5 crore downloads. The app has helped disconnect nearly 1.75 crore fraudulent connections, trace around 20 lakh stolen phones, and return approximately 7.5 lakh of them to their rightful owners.
Scindia also reassured users that the app does not allow call monitoring or snooping. Users retain complete control, and the app can be deleted like any other application. “It is about customer protection, not surveillance. Keeping it on your device is entirely optional,” he added.
BJP leader Amit Malviya also weighed in, urging people not to believe fake news surrounding the app. He explained that Sanchar Saathi cannot read messages, listen to calls, or access personal data. Instead, it is a security tool to report spam, block stolen phones, detect spoofed calls, and verify SIM cards linked to users.
With rising concerns over cybercrime, Malviya stressed that Sanchar Saathi is an essential safety measure, highlighting millions of blocked or traced devices and prevented fraud attempts. The initiative, he said, is purely aimed at enhancing telecom safety and protecting consumers.
Scindia explained that keeping the app on a phone is fully up to the user. He rejected claims suggesting compulsory installation, stating, “Our duty is to help consumers and ensure their safety. The Sanchar Saathi app enables every user to monitor their devices for security issues.”
Highlighting the app’s practical impact, Scindia noted that the Sanchar Saathi portal has over 20 crore downloads, and the mobile app has more than 1.5 crore downloads. The app has helped disconnect nearly 1.75 crore fraudulent connections, trace around 20 lakh stolen phones, and return approximately 7.5 lakh of them to their rightful owners.
Scindia also reassured users that the app does not allow call monitoring or snooping. Users retain complete control, and the app can be deleted like any other application. “It is about customer protection, not surveillance. Keeping it on your device is entirely optional,” he added.
BJP leader Amit Malviya also weighed in, urging people not to believe fake news surrounding the app. He explained that Sanchar Saathi cannot read messages, listen to calls, or access personal data. Instead, it is a security tool to report spam, block stolen phones, detect spoofed calls, and verify SIM cards linked to users.
With rising concerns over cybercrime, Malviya stressed that Sanchar Saathi is an essential safety measure, highlighting millions of blocked or traced devices and prevented fraud attempts. The initiative, he said, is purely aimed at enhancing telecom safety and protecting consumers.
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