In a sharp critique of the central government, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia has launched a scathing attack on the proposed move to install the Sanchar Saathi application on mobile phones across India. The senior politician condemned the initiative, labeling it a forceful intrusion into personal liberty.
A Direct Assault on Freedom and Privacy
Speaking on Tuesday, Manish Sisodia framed the government's push for the Sanchar Saathi app as a direct assault on personal freedom and privacy. He expressed grave concerns that the application would serve as a gateway for authorities to access a vast array of private user data.
Sisodia elaborated that the app could potentially allow the government to monitor private conversations, access contact lists, analyze communication patterns, track WhatsApp usage frequency, and scrutinize personal digital behavior. He painted a picture of pervasive surveillance where every digital action could be monitored.
"Data Theft in the Name of Governance"
The AAP leader did not mince words, accusing the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government of orchestrating data theft under the guise of governance. He warned that the app would enable the tracking, collection, and potential sale of highly sensitive personal information.
"Who you talk to, who you don't talk to, what you discuss, what you order online, what you eat, what you search, everything will be tracked, collected, and sold," Sisodia asserted. He argued that this move strips away the fundamental right to privacy, rendering it meaningless in today's India.
Allegations of Surveillance and Financial Fraud
Going beyond privacy concerns, Sisodia made a more serious allegation. He claimed that the BJP government's intent is not merely political surveillance but also to enable large-scale financial malfeasance.
He alleged that the intrusion into citizens' phones could facilitate massive bank fraud and financial scams. "This is not about helping people; this is about spying on people. The Modi govt wants to sit inside your phone," the former deputy CM added, questioning the stated purpose of the application and highlighting a deep-seated distrust in the government's motives.
The controversy places the Sanchar Saathi app, a government initiative purportedly aimed at enhancing telecom security and curbing fraud, at the center of a heated political and ethical debate regarding state overreach and digital rights in India.
