New Delhi, Dec. 3 -- The Union government's directions to smartphone makers to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app on mobile phones have ignited a political storm, with several Opposition leaders branding the move 'dystopian' and accusing the Centre of creating a tool for 'snooping' on citizens.

Jyotiraditya Scindia, Union Minister for Communications, however, clarified on Tuesday that installing the 'fraud reporting' app on all devices would be optional and can be deleted by users.

The Scindia-led Ministry had on Monday said that the Department of Telecommunications' (DoT) directions to mobile phone companies for the pre-installation of the Sanchar Saathi app in handsets were aimed at safeguarding citizens from purchasing non-genuine ha...