The Hindu: Published on 4 December 2025.
Why in News?
On 3 December 2025, the DoT officially withdrew its order mandating compulsory pre-installation of the Sanchar Saathi app on all smartphones from 2026. The reversal came after widespread public backlash and a spike in voluntary downloads (over 6 lakh in a single day), indicating mass acceptance without coercion.
About Sanchar Saathi
Launched by the Government of India, Sanchar Saathi is an integrated platform designed to:
- Track all mobile connections issued in your name
- Report suspicious SIM activity
- Block, trace, or recover lost and stolen phones
- Prevent telecom fraud
Background: New DoT Powers under TIUE
The pre-installation order was one of three directives issued under DoT’s expanded regulatory framework for Telecommunication Identifier User Entities (TIUEs).
TIUE classification empowers DoT to regulate any digital entity using phone numbers, not just telecom operators.
Other recent orders under TIUE include:
- Mandatory SIM-binding for messaging apps (linking user accounts to verified phone numbers)
- Forced logout on WhatsApp Web every 6 hours to curb session-based misuse
The pre-installation directive, however, became the flashpoint.
Public Backlash: Privacy at Centre Stage
The leaked draft order triggered massive public outrage:
- Civil society groups highlighted forced installation without consent as a threat to digital autonomy.
- Privacy experts feared state-enabled surveillance.
- Netizens, tech commentators, and opposition leaders warned of fundamental rights violations.
The intensity of public pushback compelled the government to scrap the order entirely and reiterate the app’s voluntary nature.
Constitutional Angle: Right to Privacy (Article 21)
The controversy must be viewed through the constitutional lens of Right to Privacy, upheld in: Justice K.S. Puttaswamy vs Union of India (2017)
This landmark judgment mandates a three-fold test for any state action impacting privacy:
- Legality – backed by law
- Legitimate Aim – such as security or fraud prevention
- Proportionality – least intrusive method to achieve the goal
A compulsory pre-installed app, without informed consent or opt-out mechanisms, fails the proportionality test, raising valid constitutional concerns.
Governance Implications: Learning from Digital Pushback
- Importance of Citizen Consent: Voluntary adoption proved stronger than forced pre-installation.
- Rise of Privacy-Conscious Citizens: Public debates show India’s rapidly increasing awareness of data rights.
- Need for Transparent Tech Regulations: Policies must be published, debated, and justified — not leaked or introduced abruptly.
- Balancing Security & Liberty: While combating telecom fraud is necessary, it must not compromise fundamental freedoms.
- Political Accountability & Democratic Feedback: Public sentiment directly shaped policy withdrawal — signalling a maturing governance ecosystem.
Way Forward
- Strengthen data protection norms in line with Puttaswamy principles
- Promote voluntary, informed digital participation
- Use privacy-by-design approaches in public digital platforms
- Foster digital literacy to empower citizens
- Ensure consultative policymaking with industry and civil society
