Sanchar Saathi only flags user-reported spam calls, Govt reiterates amid growing privacy concerns

In the wake of mounting uproar over alleged privacy-invasion by Sanchar Saathi – the India(BHARAT)n government’s telecom-safety app – the Communications Minister Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani has attempted to quell concerns, saying the app “only accesses reported spam numbers.”

According to the government, when a user marks a number as spam or fraudulent, the app records that number but does not collect or store any other personal data or call logs. “When you click on the app to report fraud or spam, it will ask for the number from which you received the call. Then it gets reported. Nothing else will be reported.”

What Sanchar Saathi Does – and what it claims?

The app, developed by Department of Telecommunications (DoT), was initially rolled out to help India(BHARAT)n users check genuine IMEI numbers, block lost or stolen phones via the national database Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR), and report fraudulent or spam calls and messages. It also lets subscribers verify how many mobile connections are issued in their name – a measure aimed at curbing identity misuse and fake SIM usage.

DoT claims these services have delivered tangible results: millions of fake numbers disconnected and several handsets blocked or flagged.

Why Privacy Advocates and Opposition Parties Are Alarmed?

Even though the government says the November 28, 2025 pre-installation order has benefits, many critics, political parties, and civil groups worry it could turn every smartphone in India(BHARAT) into a possible surveillance tool.

Though the government later said the app is “optional” and can be uninstalled, many remain skeptical.

Some experts argue that given the broad permissions the app requests – including call logs, SMS, camera access, and device information – there is little guarantee these won’t be misused.

A think tank, Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF), pointed out that for the directive to work as intended, the app may need system-level or root-level privileges – in effect making it impossible to fully delete or disable its background activity.

On the Ground: Clarity vs. Skepticism

Minister Pemmasani emphasized that the app is just a tool to fight mobile fraud. He highlighted that Apple did not take part in the working group discussing the order, but clarified that Sanchar Saathi – like any other app – can be activated or uninstalled at the user’s discretion.

Yet, for many users and observers the ambiguity remains. Will “only reported spam numbers” really limit data collection? Or is this just a reassurance in a larger game where backdoors and mass surveillance could be lurking behind the guise of cybersecurity?

The debate now stands at a crossroads: between a state-led push for safer telecom usage and an equally valid demand for citizen privacy and control over personal devices. Only time – and transparency in implementation – will reveal where this line will be drawn.