DEC 2, 2025 (Agency): Congress General Secretary and MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has sharply criticised the Centre’s reported direction to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app on mobile handsets, alleging that the move amounts to state surveillance and an infringement of citizens’ right to privacy. Speaking on the issue, she said the measure reflects an increasingly authoritarian mindset and warned that such practices threaten the democratic fabric of the country.
‘Sanchar Saathi’ is a government initiative designed to protect citizens from telecom-related fraud and security risks. It adheres to Indian cyber laws like the Information Technology Act, 2000, and the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023. The platform prioritises user privacy by collecting only necessary information and protecting it with security measures. Launched in January, the Sanchar Saathi app allows users to check a device’s IMEI, report lost or stolen phones, and flag suspected fraudulent communications.
Priyanka Gandhi argued that the government has no right to intrude into personal communication between citizens and their families. She called it “ridiculous” to justify the app under the pretext of security, stating that while fraud reporting mechanisms are essential, they cannot be used as an excuse for blanket surveillance. According to her, the distinction between tackling cybercrime and monitoring citizens is being deliberately blurred.
She further criticised the government for stalling parliamentary functioning, noting that the deadlock arises not from the Opposition’s conduct but from the ruling party’s refusal to hold discussions on key issues. “A healthy democracy demands open debate. Different views must be heard, but the government is shutting down every discussion,” she said.
Priyanka Gandhi emphasised that cybersecurity concerns should be addressed through transparent and effective systems, not through tools that allow potential intrusion into personal devices. She added that no citizen would be comfortable with the government having access to their private data.
