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New Delhi: Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Tuesday clarified that users are free to delete the government’s fraud-reporting app ‘Sanchar Saathi’, even as major smartphone makers, including Apple, raised objections to the directive mandating its pre-installation.“If you want to delete it, then delete it. If you don’t want to use it, then don’t register it,” Scindia told reporters, stressing that the government aims to make people aware of the app’s existence, not to force its usage. The minister added that if users register on the app, it will remain active, and if they choose not to register, it will remain inactive.

Mandatory Pre-Installation Ordered by DoT

Earlier, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) directed all mobile handset manufacturers and importers to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app on all new smartphones manufactured in India, and all devices imported into the country after 90 days from the order dated November 28.

The DoT also instructed companies to push the app via software updates on existing handsets wherever technically feasible. All mobile phone companies have been asked to submit compliance reports within 120 days. The Sanchar Saathi app is designed to help users report telecom fraud, track and block lost or stolen phones, and safeguard against identity misuse.

Apple Pushes Back Over Privacy Concerns

Scindia’s clarification comes amid reports that Apple does not plan to comply with the mandate. According to multiple industry sources, the iPhone maker is expected to convey its concerns to the Indian government, citing serious privacy and security risks to its iOS ecosystem. Apple, which tightly controls its App Store and operating system, does not follow such preload mandates in any global market, sources said. “It’s not just a sledgehammer — it’s like a double-barreled gun,” one source remarked, indicating the severity of Apple’s concerns. However, Apple is not expected to file a lawsuit or make a public statement; instead, it will formally inform the government of its position, sources added. The standoff comes at a time when Apple is already locked in legal proceedings with an Indian watchdog under the antitrust framework, where it risks facing penalties running into billions of dollars.

Other Smartphone Brands Reviewing Order

While Google’s Android ecosystem is open source, allowing companies like Samsung and Xiaomi greater flexibility to modify software, they are also said to be reviewing the DoT directive. At least one industry source said the government issued the order without prior consultation with handset manufacturers, triggering unease across the sector.

Government Stresses User Choice

Responding to privacy concerns, Scindia reiterated that installation does not imply mandatory use, underscoring that users retain the right to delete the app, avoid registration, and keep it inactive if not required. But not everyone in the country knows that this app exists to protect them from fraud and theft. It is our responsibility to ensure it reaches everyone,” the minister said.