What is the Sanchar Sathi App and why it has become a flashpoint between Modi Govt & Opposition

Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has clarified that the Sanchar Saathi app is optional and can be deleted, despite earlier reports and a DoT directive suggesting it would be mandatory on all new smartphones. In this explainer, Samah Qundeel breaks down what triggered the controversy, how the Reuters leak and PIB note led to privacy concerns, what the app actually does, the permissions it seeks, and why the Opposition — including the Congress — called it a step toward surveillance. We also look at the government’s claims about fraud prevention, the app’s origins, and the questions that remain around data access and manufacturer compliance.