BJP MP Sambit Patra on Tuesday clarified that the Sanchar Saathi app is not for government surveillance. The application does not have access to personal data, messages or calls. Its main purpose is to increase user security, prevent fraud and track lost or stolen mobile phones.
At a press conference, Sambit Patra was quoted by PTI as saying, “People are asking whether the Sanchar Saathi app is for government snooping. Does the government want to spy on you? No — NO — no. The government does not want to spy on anyone.”
He added, “Sanchar Saathi app can’t read your messages. It can’t listen to your calls or the calls you make or the calls you receive. Sanchar Saathi can’t listen to your calls. It doesn’t have access to your private or personal information. Sanchar Saathi can’t reach or hack your personal information. It can’t read messages, it can’t hear calls and it can’t hack personal information.”
Patra’s remarks came after opposition MPs expressed concern about the mandatory installation of the app on smartphones. The backlash began when the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) ordered phone manufacturers and importers to pre-install its fraud-detecting app Sanchar Saathi on all new devices within 90 days.
What is the purpose of Sanchar Saathi app?
Elaborating on the use of the app, Patra commented, “So what’s the purpose of Sanchar Saathi if it can’t do any of that? Its purpose is to provide users with security. It helps prevent fraud. It can track stolen or lost mobile phones and ensure they are recovered and returned to their owners. Fraud prevention, user safety and lost or stolen mobile phone tracking, that’s what Saathi does.”
Patra deals with opposition claims
On the opposition MPs’ claims about user privacy, Patra said: “Naturally, those who feel that they have done all sorts of bad things through their phones are unlikely to use the Sanchar Saathi app… I challenge you, check their mobile phones. You will most likely not find the Sanchar Saathi app installed because they are afraid.”
He added, “They know the truth, even though the app can’t read messages, can’t listen to calls, and can’t hack any data. But because they have bad deeds in mind, they still worry, ‘We have committed so many transgressions… if we install this app, what if we get caught?’ That fear is in them, even if the app doesn’t do any of the things they fear.”
