Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia clarifies Sanchar Saathi app is optional, helps track stolen phones, and safeguards users from telecom fraud.

Sanchar Saathi App Row: Union Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia clarified on Tuesday that the Sanchar Saathi mobile application is optional rather than required. He said that it could be erased.

“Do not sign up for Sanchar Saathi if you do not want it. Without registering, it cannot be activated. You can remove it. It is not required. It is our responsibility to make this software available to everyone in order to safeguard them from fraud. The user decides whether or not to keep it on their devices,” Scindia stated.

He added that the government’s responsibility is to assist consumers and guarantee their safety, saying that we cannot assist the opposition when they have no problems and are looking for some.

The government has traced 20 lakh stolen phones.

“Every customer may make sure they are protected with the Sanchar Saathi app. Over 20 crore people have downloaded the Sanchar Saathi web, and over 1.5 crore people have downloaded the app. Almost 1.75 crore fake cellphone connections have been disconnected thanks to Sanchar Saathi. “Thanks to Sanchar Saathi, approximately 20 lakh stolen phones have been tracked down and 7.5 lakh stolen phones have been returned to their owners,” Scindia said, highlighting the app’s usefulness.

Also read:  PM Modi Wishes Nagaland on Statehood Day, Praises Courage and Culture

He claimed that this program does not permit call tracking or eavesdropping. “As you choose, you can turn it on or off. It has to do with safeguarding customers. I wish to dispel any misunderstandings. It is our responsibility to make this app known to everyone. The user decides whether or not to keep it on their devices. Like any other app, it can be removed from a mobile device,” the Union Minister continued.

A Prompt Reaction To Increasing Cybercrimes With The Sanchar Saathi Mobile App

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) launched the Sanchar Saathi mobile app, a citizen-focused tool that offers strong security features and fraud-reporting capabilities straight to users’ smartphones, in response to an increase in cybercrimes. By offering practical, mobile protection against identity theft, falsified KYC, device theft, banking fraud, and other cyberthreats, the software enhances the current Sanchar Saathi portal.

With the termination of over 3 crore fraudulent mobile connections, the blocking of 3.19 lakh devices, the disabling of 16.97 lakh WhatsApp accounts, and the blacklisting of over 20,000 bulk SMS senders, this proactive initiative has already had a quantifiable impact on reducing telecom-related fraud and improving user security nationwide. The Sanchar Saathi mobile app is a prompt and efficient solution to India’s expanding cybercrime issues by providing individuals with simple-to-use tools and real-time access to essential security features.

The program is inclusive and accessible throughout the nation because it is available in 21 regional languages in addition to Hindi. Since its release, the software, which is accessible on both the iOS and Android platforms, has amassed over 50 lakh downloads.