Users can delete Sanchar Saathi app from smartphones, says Scindia

New Delhi: Communications minister Jyotiraditya Scindia Tuesday clarified that while the Sanchar Saathi app is mandated to be preloaded on every phone, users can delete the app if they don’t want to use it, thus seeking to address concerns around breach of privacy.

Scindia said users can activate the app at their convenience to access its benefits, and they may deactivate or delete it at any time. His clarification comes in wake of concerns raised by both privacy activists and handset makers. They have said the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) directive on mandatory preloading of the app on all devices amounts to regulatory overreach.