New Delhi, 2 Dec 

Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Tuesday criticised the move to mandate the Sanchar Saathi app on all mobile phones, saying making anything compulsory in a democracy is troubling and the government must clearly explain its reasoning to the public.

The Department of Telecom has ordered manufacturers and importers to pre-install the fraud reporting app on all new devices within 90 days. Existing users will receive it via a software update.

Responding to questions outside Parliament, Tharoor said, "I have not studied the issue in detail but common sense tells me that these apps can be useful provided they are voluntary. Everyone who needs them should be able to download them."

"Making anything compulsory in a democracy is troubling… The government should explain everything to the public instead of just passing an order," he said, adding that discussions are needed to understand the rationale.

He noted that an app that helps locate phones is useful only if adopted voluntarily. "If I feel the need for something I can download that app… Why it is being made compulsory that the government has to explain," he said.

Union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said the app can be deleted if users wish. “If you want to delete it, then delete it,” he said, stressing that many are unaware of the tool meant to protect them from fraud and theft.

The Union minister for communications further noted that, "It is our responsibility to make this app reach everyone. If you want to delete it, then delete it. If you don't want to use it, then don't register it. If you register it, then it will remain active. If you don't register it, then it will remain inactive."

All companies must report compliance to the DoT within 120 days.