Department of Telecommunications (DoT) recently
revoked its order directing phone makers to mandatorily pre-install the
state-owned Sanchar Saathi application.
Sanchar Saathi App
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Sanchar Saathi is a
cybersecurity app developed by the government of India via the Department of
Telecommunications (DoT).
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It is
citizen-participation based safety platform, enabling ordinary users to
contribute in preventing telecom and mobile fraud collectively.
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Its stated functions include
helping users report fraudulent calls and messages, track and block lost or
stolen phones (via IMEI), check if any SIM cards are issued in their name
without their knowledge, and flag fake or suspicious telecom activity.
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The app was launched in
2025, and according to government data about 1.4 crore users had downloaded it,
reporting around 2,000 fraud incidents per day.
Government mandates its
pre-installation
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Cybersecurity and fraud
prevention: The app was portrayed as a tool to help curb rising cyber fraud,
fake connections, resale of stolen devices with spoofed IMEIs, and misuse of
SIMs.
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Mass adoption and ease of
access: The government aimed to “reach everyone” by pre-installing the app so
that all smartphone users automatically had access to its security features
without needing to download it themselves.
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Jan bhagidari in cyber
safety: The government described Sanchar Saathi as not just a protective tool
but a participatory platform enabling users themselves to plug into broader
efforts to flag fraud or stolen devices.
Key Concerns
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Privacy and surveillance
concerns: The recent mandate to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app on all
smartphones in India was widely criticized for potentially violating the
fundamental right to privacy as established in the Supreme Court’s landmark
K.S. Puttaswamy (2017) judgement.
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Lack of transparency and
accountability: The privacy policy and user data access requirements have
raised concerns and have been flagged by at least one open-source application
testing service.
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User consent compromised:
Pre-installation, even with delete options, violates informed consent norms.
Globally, sensitive state apps aren’t usually preloaded on devices.
¨
Questionable
effectiveness: Cybercriminals can bypass the app by using phones without it,
spoofing IMEIs, or buying second-hand phones. Legal frameworks exist, but
enforcement gaps remain.
¨ Industry resistance and challenges: Mandating pre-installation on platforms like iOS/Android causes compatibility, compliance, and business feasibility problems.
