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Rajya Sabha: Congress MP Randeep Singh Surjewala expressed concern about the ‘Sanchar Sathi’ mobile application in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday. He fiercely attacked the Modi government.
Rajya Sabha: Congress MP Randeep Singh Surjewala expressed concern about the ‘Sanchar Sathi’ mobile application in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday. He fiercely attacked the Modi government. He said that ‘Sanchar Sathi’ is a threat to the privacy of every person. Raising this issue, he said that through this application people’s geographical location, place of stay, financial transactions, monitoring can be done through SMS and WhatsApp. Surjewala said that the Ministry of Communications, Government of India has issued an order, under which all mobile phone manufacturers and importers are obliged to compulsorily upload the Sanchar Sathi app. It has also been directed that this app should be installed in every mobile phone and smartphone. The ministry’s order issued on November 28 makes it mandatory for all mobile phone manufacturers to pre-install the Sanchar Sathi app through software updates on all handsets sold in India as well as on existing devices.
Mobile phone companies received instructions
Congress MP Randeep Singh Surjewala said in the House that mobile phone companies have also been ordered to ensure that the pre-installed Sanchar Sathi application is easily visible and accessible to the end user at the time of first use or device setup. Surjewala said that the pre-installation of Sanchar Sathi app is a clear violation of the privacy of every smartphone and cell phone users in India. The Rajya Sabha member from Rajasthan said, will this not completely negate the right to privacy of every individual? Said that through ‘Sanchar Sathi’ the government will be able to keep a watch on every journalist, every opposition leader and every dissident. Surjewala said that all the passwords kept in the mobile phone. Information, bank account number, personal information of each user can be misused. The government should consider all these things.
Questions raised on data security
Surjewala warned the Modi government that software updates being mandated by the government would leave millions of devices vulnerable. He said that if the government implements an update, but for example companies like Samsung do not release it for three months, then all the phones of that brand will remain at risk of being hacked for a long time. Due to this, the personal data of users can be completely at risk. Surjewala demanded the government to clarify whether it has the legal authority to mandate any non-upgradeable application and force software updates. He also urged that the government should explain what independent security audits will be conducted for this process, what will be the security measures and how its misuse will be prevented so that the security of citizens’ data can be ensured.
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