New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Occasion (BJP) on Tuesday dismissed opposition events’ claims of “voyeurism” over the Sanchar Saathi cybersecurity app, which the federal government desires to make pre-installed on all cell phones. The ruling occasion says it’s aimed toward “offering safety to customers” and poses no risk to privateness.
A political row has erupted over the Centre’s directive directing all cell phone producers and importers to pre-install the app on all smartphones offered in India inside 90 days from November 28.
Samvit Patra, an MP and senior chief of the Bharatiya Janata Occasion, informed mediapersons at a press convention in Delhi that the “advocates of misinformation” won’t ever perceive Sanchar Saathi’s agenda.
“The federal government has no intention of snooping on its residents by way of this app. The app can’t learn your messages or take heed to the calls you obtain or make. Sanchaar Saathi can’t attain your private knowledge and can’t compromise your private knowledge. The app’s job is to supply safety to its customers,” he stated.
Dwell: Speech at press convention @BTC4India Headquarters, New Delhi. https://t.co/ZDcCTVPuUA
— Sambit Patra (@sambitswaraj) December 2, 2025
Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday criticized the app as one other try and “stifle the voice of the individuals”.
In a publish on X, he wrote, “The Sanchar Saathi app is one more addition to the lengthy checklist of makes an attempt by the Bharatiya Janata Occasion to strangle the voice of the individuals. The Modi authorities’s unilateral directive to preload this app with out trusting varied stakeholders and the individuals is akin to dictatorship. Why does the federal government wish to know what persons are speaking about with their households and buddies?”
#sanchasathi The app is one more addition to the lengthy checklist of makes an attempt by the BJP to stifle the voice of the individuals.
The Modi authorities’s unilateral directive to preload this app with out trusting varied stakeholders and the general public resembles a dictatorship. why…
— Malikarjun Kharge (@kharge) December 2, 2025
In response, Patra stated, “I’m sorry, Mr. Kharji. This isn’t to strangle the voice of the individuals. That is for the protection of the individuals.”
Patra additional stated that the primary function of the app is to “stop fraud, present safety and monitor misplaced or stolen cell phones.”
“This app is sort of a reporter. It stories suspicious calls, rip-off calls. You can even report spam calls, malicious hyperlinks. And proper after you report such a name…the app will kick in and shield you from any scams and so forth. which will have occurred.”
The lawmaker added that many individuals are questioning whether or not the app is aimed toward spying on the federal government. “Does the federal government wish to spy on you? No, the federal government would not wish to spy on anybody.”
Taking an extra dig on the Opposition, he stated those that really feel they’ve indulged in misdeeds by way of cell phones will in all probability not use the Sanchar Saathi app.
“I problem you: Test their telephones. They’re afraid, so Sanchar You in all probability will not discover the Saathi app put in, though the app cannot learn your messages, take heed to your calls, or compromise your knowledge. However they’ve fraud in thoughts. ‘We have executed so many dangerous issues…What if we set up this app, what is going to occur if we get caught?’ This worry is with them, even when the app would not do something they worry.”
Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia additionally sought to make clear the federal government’s place on Tuesday, saying apps might be deleted by customers.
“The digital safety of each citizen of our nation is our prime precedence. The Sanchar Saathi app goals to assist everybody shield their privateness and keep secure from on-line fraud. It’s a fully voluntary and democratic system. Customers can activate the app and revel in its advantages if they need, but when not, they’ll simply delete it from their telephones at any time,” he stated.
Nonetheless, level 7(b) of the directions issued by the Ministry of Telecommunications states, “Be sure that the pre-installed Sanchar Saathi utility is straight away seen and accessible to the top consumer on first use or gadget setup and its performance shouldn’t be disabled or restricted.”
In the meantime, senior Congress chief KC Venugopal additionally referred to as the transfer “past unconstitutional” and demanded its speedy withdrawal.
“Massive Brother can’t spy on us. The best to privateness is a necessary a part of the elemental proper to life and liberty enshrined in Article 21 of the Structure,” he posted on X on Monday night time. “Preloaded authorities apps that can’t be uninstalled are a dystopian software for surveillance on each Indian. It’s a technique of monitoring every citizen’s each transfer, interplay, and resolution. We reject this directive and demand a direct rollback.”
Massive Brother cannot watch us. This DoT directive is past constitutional.
The best to privateness is a necessary a part of the elemental proper to life and liberty enshrined in Article 21 of the Structure.
Preloaded authorities apps that can’t be uninstalled are… pic.twitter.com/kx33c7fmda
— KC Venugopal (@kcvenugopalmp) December 1, 2025
priyanka chaturvediRajya Sabha MP and Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) chief stated the mandate to make the app a everlasting cell characteristic is “one other BIG BOSS surveillance second”.
She posted on X: “Such shady strategies of penetrating particular person telephones can be protested and opposed, and if the IT Ministry thinks it should construct a surveillance system as an alternative of constructing a strong remedial system, it ought to be able to struggle again!”
(Edited by Manat Chu)
Additionally learn: Oppn turns up the warmth on Middle with Sanchar Saathi app: Priyanka says ‘peep’, Scindia says choice
