Archive · 3 Dec 2025
India Mandates Sanchar Saathi App on New Phones
The Indian government has ordered that all new phones sold in the country must have the Sanchar Saathi app pre-installed.
This app helps people check if their phone is real, report suspicious calls, and find lost phones.
The government says this will help stop cyber fraud and make phones safer to use.
Some people, like opposition parties and privacy groups, are worried it might be used for surveillance and violates privacy.
Phone companies have 90 days to add the app to new phones and 120 days to report back.
The app has already helped block millions of stolen phones and recover many lost ones.
The government and supporters say it's necessary for security, while opponents argue it's unconstitutional and lacks safeguards.
Indian government mandates Sanchar Saathi app pre-installed on all new phones to prevent cyber fraud and enhance telecom security.
App helps verify phone genuineness, report fraud, and track lost phones, with 42 lakh stolen phones blocked and 26 lakh phones recovered.
Manufacturers must implement the app within 90 days and report compliance in 120 days, with failure to comply attracting legal action.
Opposition parties and privacy advocates criticize the move, calling it a surveillance tool that violates privacy and lacks necessary safeguards.
Congress MPs have filed adjournment notices in Parliament to discuss the issue, arguing the app is unconstitutional and enables pervasive surveillance.
- Who
- Indian government, mobile manufacturers, importers, opposition parties, privacy advocates
- What
- Mandatory pre-installation of Sanchar Saathi app on new phones
- When
- Directive issued on November 28, implementation in 90 days
- Where
- India
- Why
- To prevent cyber fraud, ensure telecom security, and help recover lost phones, but opposed due to privacy concerns
Government and Supporters
Opposition and Privacy Advocates
Purpose and Benefits
Government and Supporters
The app helps verify phone genuineness, report fraud, and track lost phones, enhancing cybersecurity and preventing fraud.
Opposition and Privacy Advocates
The app is seen as a surveillance tool that violates privacy and lacks necessary safeguards.
Implementation and Compliance
Government and Supporters
Manufacturers must comply within 90 days, ensuring the app is pre-installed and accessible, with reporting required within 120 days.
Opposition and Privacy Advocates
The mandatory pre-installation and inability to disable the app are seen as disproportionate and hostile to user autonomy.
Legal and Constitutional Concerns
Government and Supporters
The government argues the app is necessary for telecom security and fraud prevention, citing the Telecommunication Cyber Security Rules.
Opposition and Privacy Advocates
Opposition parties and privacy advocates argue the app is unconstitutional and enables pervasive surveillance without adequate oversight.
- App Name
- Sanchar Saathi
- Purpose
- Cyber fraud prevention and telecom security
- Key Features
- IMEI verification, fraud reporting, lost phone tracking
- Implementation Deadline
- 90 days for manufacturers
- Reporting Deadline
- 120 days for manufacturers
- Download Count
- 1 crore on Android, 10 lakh on iOS
- Phones Blocked
- 42 lakh stolen phones blocked
- Phones Recovered
- 26 lakh phones recovered
Sources
Big Row Over Centre's Sanchar Saathi Directive To Phonemakers
Indian Govt Enforces Mandatory 'Sanchar Saathi App' Pre-Installed On All New Phones: Here's What This Means
Sanchar Saathi App explained: Here’s why the government wants it pre-installed on every smartphone
Sanchar Saathi App to be pre-installed on all phones: What it means for your financial security
Sanchar Saathi Explained: What It Is And Why It Is Being Made Mandatory
Daily Briefing | SIR: between draft changes and House debates
Turning India into a dictatorship: Priyanka on 'snooping' app
Mandatory Sanchar Saathi app hostile to user autonomy: Internet Freedom Foundation
Congress MP moves adjournment notice over Sanchar Saathi app
Turning Country Into a Dictatorship: Priyanka on Mandating Sanchar Saathi App On Mobile
After surveillance uproar, Govt says users can delete Sanchar Saathi app
Sanchar Saathi app: Apple, Google set to push back citing privacy and system security concerns
Top Business & Market Headlines Today — BL Morning Report, Dec 03, 2025
Sanchar Saathi app can be deleted: Centre's clarification fails to quell snoop concern
Sanchar Saathi could secure telecom networks but its success should be determined by its appeal as an app
Government forcing down Sanchar Saathi app erodes privacy, hurts business
Grey areas in Sanchar Saathi stoke privacy fears, questions mount over need to preinstall app
Apple not to preload Sanchar Saathi
Users free to delete or keep Sanchar Saathi app: Scindia
‘A permanent surveillance backdoor’: Why Sanchar Saathi app order raises privacy fears
Where Sanchar Saathi stands on user consent, constitutional test on privacy
'Govt Has Lost Reliability: JMM MP Mahua Maji Slams Centre Over Sanchar Saathi App Row
Sanchar Saathi app downloads jump 10 times yesterday
Apple's no to Sanchar Saathi app on iPhones
Sanchar Saathi on iPhones Govt Order Sets Stage for Fresh India–Apple Clash
Apple Set to Decline India’s Order on Mandatory Government App
Sanchar Saathi App Downloads Jump 10 Times On Tuesday, Claims DoT
Sanchar Saathi app downloads jump 10 times to nearly 6 lakh on Tuesday: DoT sources
'Snooping Not Possible': Scindia Counters Opposition On Sanchar Saathi App Row In Lok Sabha
Sanchar Saathi app: Apple, Google preparing to push back against Centre’s mandatory preloading over privacy concerns
Snooping Will Never Pappen with Sanchar Saathi App: Scindia
Sanchar Saathi Mess: 5 Lessons From The Centre's Spectacular Misfire
‘Snooping neither possible nor will happen’: Jyotiraditya Scindia rules out user data concerns over Sanchar Saathi app
Mint Explainer | Is Sanchar Saathi India's anti-fraud shield or a surveillance overreach?
Making anything compulsory in democracy is troubling: Tharoor
Centre Refutes Allegations Of Snooping Through Sanchar Saathi App In Parliament
A safety app or a surveillance backdoor? The real risk of Sanchar Saathi
Can delete Sanchar Saathi, won’t work without registration: Telecom minister Scindia in Lok Sabha
