For the last few days, there is a lot of confusion and speculation regarding the Sanchar Sathi app launched by the Central Government. The government says that this is a platform which has been designed to protect users from problems like mobile theft, fake SIM and fraud calls. At the same time, the biggest misconception on social media is that this app monitors the calls, location and chats of the user. There has been an uproar regarding this app even in the Parliament, on which on Wednesday (December 3, 2025) the Ministry has given clear answers to the questions related to the app.
Which questions related to Sanchar Sathi app did the Ministry answer?,
Question 1, The government has asked companies to pre-install the Sanchar Sathi app in new phones, then why does the minister say that the app is optional and can be removed?
Answer: The government says that companies should not hide the app or do so that the app cannot run. This just means that when the phone is found, the app should be visible and working properly. This does not mean that the user cannot delete the app. It has been clearly stated that the user can delete the app if he wishes. Its use is entirely at the discretion of the user.
question 2, Does the app require a lot of dangerous permissions to run? How will the government stop them from misuse?
Answer: Sanchar Sathi app takes only that much permission as is required to report fraud. There are two types of permissions in this-
(A) Basic Permission- Only for registration
- Make & Manage Phone Calls: Just to check which SIM card is active in your phone. The app doesn’t do anything else with this permission.
- Send SMS: To send registration OTP. Banking and UPI apps also send OTP in a similar manner. These provide facilities like knowing how many mobile numbers are there in your name and a spoofed call looking like +91 from abroad can be identified.
,B, Advance permission – Available only when the user gives it himself
This gives the app the ability to: check the authenticity of a mobile’s IMEI by taking a photo from the camera, send a screenshot of a fraud call/SMS, send a block request if the mobile is stolen, report a fake call/SMS number. This app never accesses the microphone, location, Bluetooth or any other private thing of the phone.
question 3, Is the app a threat to user privacy? Does it monitor?
Answer: No. The app does not access phone calls, location, microphone, Bluetooth, or other apps. The app takes only that data from the user, which the user himself gives while reporting. Permission is also taken only for one work, the app cannot use the permission which is not given. If the user wishes, he has the full right to remove the permission or uninstall the app at any time.
question 4, Is this step legal and correct according to the Constitution?
Answer: Yes, this is legal and correct according to the Constitution. This order has been issued under the Telecom Cyber Security Rules, 2024, which is related to the Telecommunication Act, 2023.
question 5, Do the benefits of the app (e.g. preventing fraud, blocking stolen phones) outweigh the risks to personal data?
Answer: The government says that there is no privacy threat from this app. The app has huge and real benefits, including,
- More than 1.43 crore fake/useless numbers were blocked by people by saying “Not My Number”.
- 26.6 lakh stolen and lost mobiles were recovered.
- In 6.48 lakh complaints, 40.96 lakh mobile numbers were blocked.
- 6.2 lakh fraud related IMEI numbers blocked.
- Fraud worth about Rs 475 crore stopped.
The government told what is the purpose of the app
The central government said that the purpose of the Sanchar Sathi app is that those who can identify the fraud should report it immediately and those who cannot identify the fraud can also be saved. This makes it easier to catch those sending scam calls/SMS. Sanchar Saath app only helps in preventing fraud, does not break your privacy and if you want, you can delete it from the phone anytime.
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