Scindia clarifies Sanchar Saathi is voluntary, privacy-safe tool for citizens’ digital safety

Highlighting its role in India’s cybersecurity ecosystem, Shri Scindia stated that the Government’s priority is to protect mobile users from digital fraud, identity misuse, and cyber threats.

Union Minister for Communications and Development of the Northeastern Region, Shri Jyotiraditya Scindia, today addressed public concerns surrounding the Sanchar Saathi mobile application and portal. He reiterated that the platform is fully voluntary, empowering users without mandating installation. “Sanchar Saathi is completely democratic and fully optional. Users may activate the app when they wish, and can just as easily deactivate or delete it at any time,” the Minister said.

A Citizen-First, Privacy-Secure Digital Platform

Highlighting its role in India’s cybersecurity ecosystem, Shri Scindia stated that the Government’s priority is to protect mobile users from digital fraud, identity misuse, and cyber threats. He emphasised that Sanchar Saathi has been designed with strong data privacy principles and transparency at its core.

“Sanchar Saathi represents Jan Bhagidari — a platform where citizens take part in safeguarding their digital presence. It is simple, secure, and user-friendly, giving users direct control over their mobile identity,” he added.

The platform includes tools like CEIR (Central Equipment Identity Register) for tracing lost devices, KAAM (Know Your Mobile Numbers) to verify registered SIMs, and a Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI) to help users identify high-risk communication.

Strong Measurable Impact Since Launch

Sanchar Saathi has demonstrated tangible benefits for mobile users across India. As of now:

• 21.5 crore+ portal visits

• 1.4 crore+ app downloads

• 1.43 crore mobile numbers disconnected after citizens flagged “Not My Number”

• 26 lakh lost or stolen phones traced, with 7.23 lakh returned to rightful users

• 40.96 lakh fraudulent SIM connections disconnected

• 6.2 lakh suspected fraud-linked IMEIs blocked

• ₹475 crore in financial loss prevented through the FRI detection system

These milestones reflect a significant leap in preventing cybercrime, identity theft, SIM fraud, and digital impersonation across the telecom ecosystem.

Empowering Citizens Against Cybercrime

Users can now report suspicious calls and messages directly from call logs, helping authorities track pattern-based financial fraud attempts targeting unaware or vulnerable groups. The platform is interoperable with banks, cybercrime helplines, and telecom operators, enabling faster action and fraud mitigation.

Voluntary and Transparent by Design

Scindia reassured citizens that Sanchar Saathi neither tracks personal activity nor accesses private data without user consent. “Digital security for every citizen is our top priority. With Sanchar Saathi, people have protection without losing privacy,” he stated.

The Minister urged citizens to take advantage of the platform and contribute to making India’s digital space safer.