Sanchar Saathi App Controversy: Following a major controversy over the Department of Telecommunications' (DoT) order to pre-install the cyber security app 'Sanchar Sathi' in all new mobile phones, the Central Government on Tuesday clarified.
Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia clarified that the app is not compulsory and users can delete it at will.
Why the controversy? Congress calls it a 'spy app'
The controversy began when, on December 1st, the central government ordered smartphone companies (such as Apple, Samsung, Vivo, and Oppo) to sell all new smartphones with the government app pre-installed within the next 90 days.
Opposition parties, including the Congress, strongly objected to this decision, calling it a direct attack on citizens' privacy.
- Priyanka Gandhi's attack: Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi called the move a direct attack on people's privacy and said, "This is a spying app. The government wants to monitor every citizen."
- KC Venugopal: He said that this is a direct attack on the privacy of ordinary people, and an attempt to gain access to personal information under the guise of help, reminiscent of cases like Pegasus.
- Shashi Tharoor's opinion: He said that the app may be useful, but it should be voluntary. Forced implementation is a concern in a democracy.
Government Objective: Curb Cyber Fraud and Theft
Despite opposition from the opposition, the government maintains that the primary objective behind this order is to curb the growing cyber fraud, scams using fake IMEI numbers, and mobile phone theft in the country.
- Success: The 'Sanchar Saathi' app has so far helped recover over 700,000 lost or stolen mobile phones.
- Need: India has over 1.2 billion mobile users, but cybercrime is on the rise due to fake or duplicate 15-digit IMEI numbers. The government claims this app will help police trace devices.
Has the previous order been withdrawn?
The DoT's previous private order to smartphone companies also stated that users would not be able to delete or disable the app. Even on older phones, it had to be installed through a software update.
The latest clarification (that it can be deleted) indicates that the government has withdrawn its previous mandatory requirement after considerable political and public pressure.
Apple and Technical Challenges
Smartphone industry sources say this order has created difficulties for companies, especially Apple, as the company's internal policy prohibits pre-installing any government or third-party apps on phones before they are sold. It is believed that Apple may negotiate with the government on this matter.
What now for users?
- Benefit: Users will now be able to instantly block their stolen phones by checking the IMEI number and report fraudulent calls.
- Solution: Following the minister's statement, users' privacy concerns may be somewhat alleviated, as they now have the control to keep or delete the app.
This controversy has once again brought the debate about the balance between cybersecurity and citizen privacy to the forefront.
About the Author:
Arjit Kumar
