New Delhi:<\/b> The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Tuesday dismissed the Opposition\u2019s \u2018snooping\u2019 claim about the Sanchar Saathi cybersecurity app, which the government wants mandatorily pre-installed on all phones. It is meant to \u201cprovide security to users\u201d and there is no threat to privacy, the ruling party has said.<\/p>\n
A political row has erupted over Centre\u2019s directive to all mobile phone manufacturers and importers to pre-install the app on every smartphone sold in India within 90 days, starting 28 November.<\/p>\n
BJP MP and senior leader Sambit Patra told media persons at a press conference in Delhi that the \u201cchampions of misinformation\u201d could never understand the purpose of Sanchar Saathi.<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\tShow Full Article<\/p>\n
\u201cThe government does not want to snoop on the public through this app. The app cannot read your messages, and cannot listen to your calls\u00a0 the ones you receive or the ones you make). Sanchaar Saathi cannot reach your personal data, it cannot breach your personal data. The job of the app is to provide security to users,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\nLIVE: Addressing Press Conference at @BJP4India<\/a> HQ,\u00a0New\u00a0Delhi. https:\/\/t.co\/ZDcCTVPuUA<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 Sambit Patra (@sambitswaraj) December 2, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge Tuesday criticised the app, calling it yet another attempt to \u201cstrangulate the voice of the people\u201d.<\/p>\n
In a post on X, he wrote, \u201cSanchar Saathi app is yet another addition to the long list of attempts by the BJP to strangulate the voice of the people. Modi government\u2019s unilateral directions to pre-load this app without taking into confidence various stakeholders and citizens is akin to dictatorship. Why does the government want to know what citizens talk with their family and friends?\u201d<\/p>\n
\n#SancharSaathi<\/a> app is yet another addition to the long list of attempts by the BJP to strangulate the voice of the people.<\/p>\n
Modi Govt’s unilateral directions to preload this app without taking into confidence various stakeholders and citizens is akin to dictatorship. Why does the\u2026<\/p>\n
\u2014 Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) December 2, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
In response, Patra said: \u201cSorry, Mr. Kharge, it is not to strangulate the voice of the people, it is for their security.\u201d<\/p>\n
Patra further said that the main aim of the app is to \u201cprevent fraud, provide security, track lost or stolen mobile phones\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe app is like a reporter. It will report suspicious calls, fraudulent calls. It can report spam calls, and malicious links. And moments after you report such calls\u2026 the app will come into action, and save you from such fraud etc that may have happened.\u201d<\/p>\n
The MP added that many are asking whether the app is meant for government snooping. \u201cDoes the government want to spy on you? No. The government does not want to spy on anyone.\u201d<\/p>\n
Further taking a dig at the Opposition, he said that those who feel they have indulged in misdeeds through their phones will probably not use the Sanchar Saathi app.<\/p>\n
\u201cI challenge you, check their mobile phones. You will most likely not find the Sanchar Saathi app installed, because they are afraid. They know the truth, even though the app cannot read messages, cannot listen to calls, and cannot breach any data. But because they have wrongdoing on their minds, they keep worrying: \u2018We have done so many misdeeds\u2026 if we install this app, what if we get caught?\u2019 This fear is inside them, even though the app does none of the things they are afraid of,\u201d he remarked.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Union minister for communications, Jyotiraditya Scindia also sought to clarify the government\u2019s position Tuesday, saying that the app can be deleted by the user.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe digital security of every citizen of our country is our top priority. The Sanchar Saathi app aims to help everyone protect their privacy and stay safe from online fraud. This is a completely voluntary and democratic system\u2014users can activate the app and enjoy its benefits if they wish, and if they don\u2019t, they can easily delete it from their phone at any time,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
However, point 7(b) of the direction issued by the Department of Telecommunication says: \u201cEnsure that the pre-installed Sanchar Saathi application is readily visible and accessible to the end users at the time of first use or device setup and that its functionalities are not disabled or restricted.\u201d<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, senior Congress leader K.C. Venugopal also described the move as \u201cbeyond unconstitutional\u201d, demanding an immediate rollback.<\/p>\n
\u201cBig Brother cannot watch us. The Right to Privacy is an intrinsic part of the fundamental right to life and liberty, enshrined in Article 21 of the Constitution,\u201d he posted on X Monday night. \u201cA pre-loaded government app that cannot be uninstalled is a dystopian tool to monitor every Indian. It is a means to watch over every movement, interaction and decision of each citizen. We reject this Direction and demand an immediate rollback.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nBig Brother cannot watch us. This DoT Direction is beyond unconstitutional. <\/p>\n
The Right to Privacy is an intrinsic part of the fundamental right to life and liberty, enshrined in Article 21 of the Constitution. <\/p>\n
A pre-loaded government app that cannot be uninstalled is a\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/kx33c7fmda<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 K C Venugopal (@kcvenugopalmp) December 1, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Priyanka Chaturvedi<\/a>, Rajya Sabha MP and Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) leader, said the mandate to make the app a permanent mobile feature is \u201canother BIG BOSS surveillance moment\u201d.<\/p>\n
She posted on X: \u201cSuch shady ways to get into individual phones will be protested and opposed & if the IT Ministry thinks that instead of creating robust redressal systems it will create surveillance systems then it should be ready for a pushback!\u201d<\/p>\n
(Edited by Mannat Chugh)<\/p>\n
Also Read:<\/strong> Oppn dials up heat on Centre over Sanchar Saathi app: Priyanka says \u2018snooping\u2019, Scindia says optional<\/a><\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n