No snooping possible, says Scindia to calm concerns about Sanchar Saathi

Union telecom minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Wednesday tried to clear air around the 'Sanchar Saathi' application, asserting that snooping is neither possible nor will it happen with the app.

After an outcry, the government on Wednesday withdrew its directive to mobile phone companies to ensure 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.

Talking about the app in the Lok Sabha, Scindia said, "Depending on the feedback, the ministry is ready to make changes to the order regarding the installation of the app in devices." 'Sanchar Saathi' app se "na snooping sambhav hai, no snooping hoga", he said in response to Congress leader Deepender Singh Hooda's supplementary question in the LS regarding snooping concerns.


The ministry's order, dated November 28, mandating all mobile manufacturers to pre-install 'Sanchar Saathi' app in all handsets to be sold in India as well as in existing devices through software update had triggered a row.

Asserting that the app is for the protection of people, he said the government wants to give choices to consumers. If a consumer has not been registered on the app, then the app will not be operational and one can also delete the app, Scindia stated.