BJP defends Sanchar Sathi as an app that secures mobile devices and users; rejects snooping charge

The BJP on Tuesday (December 2, 2025) dismissed the allegation made by the Congress and others that the Sanchar Sathi mobile application will be used to facilitate surveillance of people. It said the app has been designed solely to secure mobile phones and their users, not to access personal data.

At a press conference, BJP MP and spokesperson Sambit Patra said the app had so far helped detect and disconnect about 1.75 crore fraudulent mobile connections, trace close to 26 lakh stolen/missing phones, and recover 7.5 lakh phones.

He said Sanchar Sathi cannot read messages, listen to calls, or extract personal data from a user’s device. Responding to the concerns about forced adoption, he reiterated the government’s clarification that installing Sanchar Sathi is optional. “It can be deleted like any other app,” the BJP leader said, adding that only those worried that their malpractices may be detected would never use it.

The BJP leader said the app helps users report suspicious calls, spams, and malicious links, track and recover stolen or lost mobile phones, detect International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) duplications for use in any criminal activity, identify mobile numbers obtained using forged or stolen identities, and flag international calls spoofed as local numbers. The app also has verified helpline numbers for banks and essential services. The app does not engage in passive monitoring or any hidden background activity, said Mr. Patra.

The BJP leader said the app has been developed in consultation with the stakeholders, in view of the increasing cases of IMEI duplication, SIM misuse, cyber fraud, particularly targeting the elderlies not confident of operating digital devices, and crimes involving mobile number sacquired with false identities. “Those who spread misinformation will never understand what Sanchar Sathi is. Such critics may continue to misrepresent the initiative, but the publi cmust know the facts,” he said.

Replying to a post by Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge on X against Sanchar Sathi, Mr. Patra termed the Opposition as “Dushprachar (misinformation) Sathi”. “The app is not a unilateral move. In the Modi government, stakeholders are taken into confidence. The Congress discusses everything else, but for the issues which pertain to protecting democracy…,” said Mr. Patra, asserting that the Congress’s allegations on the Pegasus issue had been dismissed in the Supreme Court.

Criticising the “behaviour” of Congress leaders in Parliament, Mr. Patra said even “nursery school students behave more responsibly than Rahul Gandhi and his associates”. He said the government is open to discussion on all issues of public interest in Parliament. “There should be meaningful debate, not mere exchange of accusations,” he added.