New Delhi, December 2, 2025 — Amid mounting political controversy over the mandatory pre-installation of the Sanchar Saathi mobile application on new smartphones, the central government on Tuesday clarified that the app is not a surveillance tool and does not monitor user activity.

In an official statement, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) emphasized that the app’s sole function is to enhance mobile security by protecting users’ device identities. “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,” the DoT stated, adding that the app does not access or store personal information.

Political Opposition Raises Alarm

The clarification follows sharp criticism from opposition leaders, who likened the move to the controversial Pegasus spyware episode. The backlash was triggered after the DoT directed smartphone manufacturers to pre-load the app on all handsets sold in India, with reports suggesting it could not be deleted or disabled by users.

In response, Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia issued a public statement contradicting the earlier directive. “If you don’t want Sanchar Saathi, you can delete it. It is optional,” Scindia told ANI. “It is our duty to introduce this app to everyone, but keeping it on the device is entirely up to the user.”

Cybersecurity and IMEI Protection at Core

The government maintains that Sanchar Saathi is part of a broader initiative to curb the misuse of International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers and strengthen cybersecurity. The DoT has also advised telecom operators to push a software update to install the app on existing devices already in circulation.

Privacy Concerns Persist

Despite the government’s assurances, opposition leaders remain skeptical. Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra called the directive “dictatorial” and described the app as a “snooping tool,” arguing that citizens must be free to communicate without fear of surveillance.

Senior Congress MP Shashi Tharoor offered a more nuanced view, stating that while such tools can serve public interest, they must remain voluntary. “Making anything compulsory in a democracy is troubling,” he said, urging the government to engage in public consultation and explain the rationale behind the move.

The government continues to describe Sanchar Saathi as a “citizen-centric initiative” aimed at empowering mobile users and enhancing digital safety without compromising privacy.

Disclaimer: This news is written on the basis of information received from different authentic sources.