Snooping will never happen with Sanchar Saathi app: Scindia in LS

Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia told Lok Sabha that the Sanchar Saathi app cannot enable snooping and exists solely to protect users. Amid criticism of mandatory pre-installation on all smartphones, he said the app empowers citizens and can be deleted if unwanted

New Delhi: Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Wednesday said snooping is neither possible nor will it happen with the Sanchar Saathi safety app, amid a row over his ministry’s order asking smartphone makers to preload the state-run cybersecurity app on all new devices.

In Lok Sabha, Scindia said the app is for the protection of the people.

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Sanchar Saathi app se “na snooping sambhav hai, na snooping hoga”, the minister said during Question Hour.

In the context of the discussions about the app, the minister also said the government want to give power in the hands of the people to help them protect themselves.

The ministry’s order dated November 28, mandates all mobile phone manufacturers to pre-install Sanchar Saathi app in all handsets to be sold in India as well as in existing devices through software update.

It mandates 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.

On Tuesday, Scindia said users are free to delete the app if they don’t want to use it.