India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has ordered smartphone manufacturers to preload a government-backed cybersecurity app, “Sanchar Saathi,” on all new devices sold in the country.
The order, issued privately on November 28, 2025, gives major players like Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi, Vivo, and Oppo 90 days to comply, requiring the “Sanchar Saathi” app to be installed as a non-removable feature on every handset.
The move signals a significant tightening of state control over consumer electronics in the world’s second-largest telecom market, which boasts over 1.2 billion subscribers.
Government officials argue the measure is a critical defense against a surge in digital fraud and cybercrime. According to the directive, the app serves as a “citizen-centric” shield, enabling authorities to curb the use of stolen phones and combat spoofed IMEI numbers, which are often used in criminal activities.
Sanchar Saathi: A Digital “Communication Companion”
Launched earlier this year, the Sanchar Saathi (Hindi for “Communication Companion”) platform was initially a web portal designed to empower mobile subscribers. The mandatory app version integrates several key safety features directly into the user interface:
Chakshu: A reporting tool for suspected fraud communications, including malicious calls, SMS, or WhatsApp messages.
Lost/Stolen Mobile Blocking: Uses the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) to block stolen devices across all networks, rendering them useless to thieves.
Connection Management: Allows users to check “Know Mobile Connections in Your Name” to identify unauthorized SIM cards registered against their identity.
Genuineness Checks: Verifies if a device’s hardware and IMEI are authentic.
While the government highlights recovered devices over 700,000 lost phones have reportedly been traced using the system, the mandatory nature of the app has sparked immediate concern.
Industry Pushback and Privacy Fears
The directive requires that the app be “undeletable,” a condition that is likely to upset privacy advocates and manufacturers like Apple, which has historically resisted preloading third-party software.
Industry executives, speaking on condition of anonymity, expressed frustration over the lack of prior consultation, fearing the “forced” app could compromise user trust and device performance.
Privacy advocates are concerned that a government-controlled app with extensive system access could theoretically be used for surveillance. However, the Indian government has consistently denied such intentions, stating that the directive is solely a consumer protection measure.
Manufacturers must also push the app to existing devices via software updates, ensuring the entire active user base is eventually covered.
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