Imagine… someone has a secret weapon that allows them to peek into your phone whenever they want. They can read messages like bank OTPs along with personal messages. They can listen to your conversations whenever they want. They can know your location and see photos-videos on your phone. Experts believe that something similar could happen with the government’s Sanchar Saathi mobile app. In this story, we will learn what the government’s Sanchar Saathi mobile app is? Why is it being opposed? Can it be used for spying and is it an attack on people’s privacy? Question 1: What is the Sanchar Saathi mobile app, how is this app beneficial for me? Answer: This is a digital safety project of the central government. It was launched on January 17, 2025. It can be downloaded from Google Play Store and App Store. It is also available on the website. Through this, common people get many types of facilities. Such as… According to the government, the main reason behind this step is to prevent cyber fraud. It can be used to immediately block stolen phones, track misuse, and take action on fake connections. Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia also stated that the app can be deleted. Question 2: Why is the Sanchar App being opposed, what data can it see on my phone? Answer: On December 1, 2025, at 6:36 PM, a government press release was issued. It stated, “Now, the government’s cybersecurity app ‘Sanchar Saathi’ will be pre-installed in every new smartphone. All companies must implement this within 90 days. It cannot be disabled.” Initially, no one paid attention. Then, some experts started posting screenshots of the app’s permission list on social media platforms. It was revealed that this app requests permissions like camera, mic, keyboard, messages, call logs, and location, which users cannot turn off. Question 3: Can I be monitored or spied on with this app? Answer: According to experts, this is possible. The Sanchar Saathi app requires access to many parts of the phone, which is much more than just an IMEI check. Its server is also the same. Question 4: How long is the data collected by the app retained? Answer: Sanchar Saathi’s privacy policy states that data “will be kept secure” and “shared on legal requirement”. However, there is no clear information on how long it will be stored. Question 5: Are there any permissions in the app without which it can still function? Answer: The core functions of the Sanchar Saathi app are IMEI verification, reporting lost phones, reporting fraud calls/SMS, and SIM checks. For this, primarily device identifiers (IMEI), phone state (calls/SMS), location (tracking), and network access are sufficient. But according to the app’s Google Play and App Store listings, it requests broad permissions like camera, mic, storage, keyboard, which allow the app to run basic functions even without an IMEI check or fraud report. In DoT policy, these are called “supporting features,” but experts say they are extra and increase privacy risks. Question 6: Have there been any espionage cases before? Answer: In 2023, the Pegasus spyware case emerged. This was a tool from Israel’s NSO Group, which infiltrated phones to access messages, camera, and mic. Allegations were made that the Indian government used the highly dangerous Pegasus spyware to target journalists. A new investigation by Amnesty International and The Washington Post revealed this. This spyware could read messages and emails, view photos, listen to calls, track location, and even record videos by turning on the camera. However, this Pegasus was a spyware that was silently installed on phones. The government’s Sanchar Saathi app is a digital safety project. It will come pre-installed on phones. Currently, it can be downloaded from Google Play Store and App Store. That is, it is not spyware. The government has brought it to provide better services to citizens. However, the opposition alleges that it can also be used like spyware. Question 7: There are many apps that ask for such permissions, why the opposition to Sanchar App? Answer: Opposition or security concerns mainly depend on two major factors- Large, established companies like Google or Apple usually maintain greater transparency in data privacy policies and operate under strict rules. Yes, theoretically, any app can spy if it has the necessary permissions. For this reason, critics argue that a communication app mandatorily installed by the government could open the door to surveillance. There is a fear that this data could be used for individual-level surveillance of citizens, and not just for preventing fraud. Question 8: Can the app be uninstalled or will it remain mandatory? Answer: Initially, there were reports that it would not be possible to uninstall it. This was why there was significant opposition. However, today, Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia clarified that the app can be uninstalled. Question 9: What options do mobile companies have, what will Apple do? Answer: Mobile companies have been given 90 days. The new phones will have to come with the Sanchar app pre-installed. Meanwhile, on old phones, this app will be installed via a software update. Companies will have to submit a compliance report within 120 days. This is under the Telecom Cyber Security Rules, 2024. But what options do companies have?
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