Current Affairs - National - Discussion

Sanchar Saathi was the application involved in the government’s withdrawn directive that initially required smartphone manufacturers to pre-install it on all devices. Developed by the Department of Telecommunications, the app is designed to combat cyber fraud, mobile theft, SIM-related misuse, and unauthorised connections. Despite its strong security benefits—such as tracing stolen phones, disconnecting fraudulent mobile connections, and blocking scam attempts—the mandatory installation raised widespread concerns regarding privacy, potential snooping, and lack of stakeholder consultation. As a result, the government opted for a voluntary model, reinforcing its commitment to user choice, transparency, and safeguarding digital rights while continuing to promote cybersecurity awareness.