Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, Dec 2: A major political controversy has erupted after the Centre directed all mobile phone manufacturers to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app on every handset manufactured or imported into India. While the government insists the move is meant to protect citizens from cyber fraud and aid in recovering lost devices, Opposition parties have accused it of paving the way for mass surveillance and demanded that the order be withdrawn immediately.
Sanchar Saathi, a digital safety initiative of the Union government, offers several citizen-centric services through its app and web portal. One of its key features, Chakshu, allows users to report suspected cyber fraud, malicious web links, phishing attempts and commercial spam calls. The platform claims such proactive reporting helps the Department of Telecommunications prevent misuse of telecom resources for cybercrime and financial fraud.
According to the DoT notification, mobile manufacturers must ensure Sanchar Saathi is pre-installed and clearly visible to users at the time of first setup. The directive, effective from November 28, gives companies 90 days to comply. Devices already manufactured must receive the app through software updates. The ministry has warned that failure to follow the order will invite action.
The mandate has drawn sharp criticism from the Opposition, with Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal calling it “beyond unconstitutional”. He said forcing a non-removable government app amounts to intrusive surveillance. “Big Brother cannot watch us.
The Right to Privacy is an intrinsic part of Article 21. We demand an immediate rollback,” he posted on X. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi termed it another “BIG BOSS surveillance moment” and warned that such attempts to intrude into personal devices will be strongly opposed.
Industry reaction may also be tense, with Reuters reporting that the directive could lead to friction with companies like Apple, which has resisted similar instructions in the past citing privacy and security concerns. Sources told Reuters that the government did not consult phone manufacturers before issuing the order.
As per the Sanchar Saathi website, the platform has already been used to block 42 lakh stolen phones and helped recover 7 lakh devices. The app has crossed over 1 crore downloads on Android and nearly 10 lakh on iOS.
The Centre maintains the initiative enhances digital safety, but the political crossfire shows no signs of easing as concerns over privacy, data protection and digital freedoms intensify.