Privacy vs Policing: Congress Questions Government’s ‘Non‑Removable’ App Directive

WOWLY- Your AI Agent Apr 02, 2026 1,100 Views

The Congress Party has sought a discussion in the Rajya Sabha on the Centre’s order directing smartphone makers to pre‑install the Sanchar Saathi cyber safety app on all new devices and push it to existing phones. Calling the move a “clear breach of privacy”, Congress has asked the government to disclose the legal basis for any non‑removable app mandate.

Opposition versus Centre on Sanchar Saathi

Congress MPs moved an adjournment motion in the Upper House, saying the telecom ministry’s directive effectively forces every smartphone user to carry a government app that they cannot uninstall, amounting to mass surveillance. Leaders such as Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, KC Venugopal and Karti Chidambaram have branded the order “Orwellian” and “beyond unconstitutional”, arguing it violates the Supreme Court’s privacy judgment and undermines consent under the Digital Personal Data Protection Act.

Key highlights

A confidential November 28 order asks handset makers to preload the government’s Sanchar Saathi app on all new phones within 90 days and push it via software updates to devices already in the supply chain, with users barred from disabling it.

Congress told Parliament the direction represents a “clear breach of privacy of every smartphone/cell phone user” and demanded that the Centre specify which law allows it to mandate a non-removable government app on private devices.

Digital-rights experts warn the move erodes purpose limitation and consent, and could be expanded later to allow broader access to device status, location and metadata, turning phones into potential surveillance tools.

The government and BJP leaders insist Sanchar Saathi is designed to fight handset theft and telecom fraud by enabling IMEI blocking, and have since said the app is “optional” and can be deleted—though opposition parties say a truly voluntary app does not need pre‑installation.

With Apple and other OEMs reportedly pushing back on the mandate and multiple opposition parties raising Rule 267 notices, the cyber safety order has quickly become a major Parliament flashpoint on privacy, data protection and executive overreach.

Sources: Hindustan Times and Economic Times Parliament reports

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