A political storm has erupted over the Centre’s directive requiring all mobile phones to come pre-installed with the ‘Sanchar Saathi’ app. While the government claims the move will curb fake IMEI numbers and strengthen cyber security, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has accused the Centre of crossing the line between fraud prevention and mass surveillance. She warns that the app could allow authorities to monitor citizens’ digital lives. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju has rejected the allegations, accusing the Opposition of manufacturing controversies to disrupt the Winter Session. The report examines the sharp divide between national security imperatives and the right to privacy.