A government directive requiring pre-installation of a cybersecurity app on all smartphones sold in India has ignited fierce debate over digital privacy, state surveillance, and user autonomy.
India's smartphone market—one of the world's largest with over 730 million devices—is at the center of an unprecedented digital policy storm. On November 28, 2025, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) issued a confidential directive requiring every smartphone manufacturer and importer to pre-install the government's Sanchar Saathi app on all devices sold in India.
Within 48 hours of the order becoming public, the mandate has sparked outrage from opposition politicians, digital rights advocates, and concerned citizens while drawing measured support from those prioritizing cybersecurity.
The controversy deepened on December 2, when Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia clarified that the app is "optional" and users can delete it—a statement that directly contradicts the original directive's language requiring the app to be non-removable and its functionalities not disabled or restricted. This apparent policy shift has only added to the confusion surrounding one of India's most contentious tech mandates in recent years.
What Is Sanchar Saathi and What Does It Actually Do?
Sanchar Saathi, which translates to "communication companion" in Hindi, is a citizen-centric digital platform developed by India's Department of Telecommunications. Initially launched as a web portal in May 2023, it was later expanded into mobile applications for Android and iOS. The platform serves as an all-in-one cybersecurity tool designed to address India's growing telecom fraud crisis.
Core Features of Sanchar Saathi:
1. IMEI Verification and Device Authentication
The app allows users to verify whether their mobile handset is genuine by checking its International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number—a unique 15-digit identifier assigned to every mobile device. This feature helps detect counterfeit, cloned, or tampered devices that pose security risks. Under the Telecommunications Act 2023, tampering with IMEI numbers is a non-bailable offense carrying up to three years imprisonment and fines up to ₹50 lakh.
2. Lost and Stolen Phone Tracking (CEIR Integration)
Perhaps the most celebrated feature, Sanchar Saathi integrates with the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR)—a national database of IMEI numbers. When users report a phone as lost or stolen through the app, the device can be blocked across all Indian telecom networks, rendering it unusable. According to government data, the platform has helped recover over 700,000 lost and stolen phones, with approximately 50,000 recovered in October 2025 alone—roughly one phone recovered every minute.
3. SIM Connection Monitoring
The app enables users to check how many mobile connections are registered under their name and identity documents. This addresses a significant problem in India where stolen or fraudulent identity documents are used to obtain unauthorized SIM cards for criminal activities. Users can report connections they didn't authorize, triggering re-verification processes with telecom service providers.
4. Fraud Reporting (Chakshu Feature)
The integrated Chakshu module allows users to report suspected fraud communications including:
- Scam calls impersonating government officials, police, or bank representatives
- Phishing SMS messages
- Fraudulent WhatsApp, Telegram, or other messaging app communications
- Suspicious investment schemes and KYC update requests
- International calls received with Indian country codes (+91)
The government claims this proactive reporting has helped block over 42.14 lakh mobile devices and disconnect 82 lakh SIM cards linked to suspicious activity.
5. Trusted Contact Verification
Users can verify legitimate contact information for banks and financial institutions, helping them distinguish authentic customer care numbers from fraudulent ones used in phishing schemes.
The Mandate: What Smartphone Makers Must Do
The DoT directive, issued under the Telecom Cyber Security Rules 2024, establishes several non-negotiable requirements:
For New Devices:
- All smartphones manufactured in or imported into India after 90 days from November 28, 2025 (approximately late February 2026) must have Sanchar Saathi pre-installed
- The app must be "readily visible and accessible" during first-time device setup
- Its functionalities cannot be "disabled or restricted"
For Existing Devices:
- Manufacturers must "endeavor" to push the app to phones already in retail channels through software updates
- This potentially affects millions of devices already sold but not yet in consumer hands
Compliance Requirements:
- Affected companies must submit compliance reports to DoT within 120 days
- Non-compliance invites action under the Telecommunications Act 2023 and related cybersecurity rules
- All major brands manufacturing in India—including Apple, Samsung, Google, Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo, and OnePlus—are subject to this directive
Sanchar Saathi App Perimissions
The Sanchar Saathi app requests numerous sensitive permissions including:
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| Image: Google Play - App ver 1.5.0 |
- Camera access (for barcode scanning)
- Microphone access
- Full phone call management
- SMS read and send capabilities
- Location tracking
- Contact list access
- Storage and file access
- Ability to make and manage phone calls automatically
Critics argue these permissions far exceed what's necessary for IMEI verification and fraud reporting, enabling potential surveillance of calls, texts, and location data.
The Apple Factor: A Tech Giant Pushes Back
According to Reuters, Apple has indicated it will not comply with the directive, citing the company's strict internal policies against pre-installing third-party apps—including government-developed ones—on devices prior to sale. An industry source told Reuters that Apple plans to inform the Indian government privately that it "can't do this. Period," due to the security risks involved.
This isn't the first time Apple has resisted Indian government app mandates. The company previously clashed with regulators over a government anti-spam app with similar concerns about privacy and user control. Apple's marketing heavily emphasizes privacy protection and user autonomy, making compliance with mandatory government app installation particularly problematic for the brand's identity.
Counterpoint Research analyst Tarun Pathak suggests Apple might seek a middle ground: "instead of a mandatory pre-install, they might negotiate and ask for an option to nudge users towards installing the app" through prompts or recommendations rather than forced installation.
Government's Defense: Combating a Real and Growing Threat
To understand the government's perspective, it's essential to recognize the scale of India's telecom fraud crisis. The DoT reports:
- 1.35 crore spoofed calls per day (prior to recent crackdowns)
- Estimated ₹35,000 crore in fraud losses annually
- Millions of counterfeit devices in circulation with cloned IMEIs
- Massive second-hand market where stolen and blacklisted phones are resold, making unwitting buyers accessories to crime
Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia highlighted the effectiveness of recent government measures: "We had close to about 1.35 crore spoofed calls… Today… the number has dropped from 1.35 crores a day to only 1.2 lakhs a day. So there's a 97 percent drop."
The government's key arguments include:
1. Universal Access to Protection
By making the app pre-installed, the government ensures even non-tech-savvy users—including elderly citizens and rural populations—have immediate access to fraud protection tools without needing to search for, download, or configure security apps.
2. Real-Time Fraud Prevention
With the app universally available, users can report fraud attempts immediately, enabling faster law enforcement response and real-time blocking of suspicious IMEI numbers and SIM cards.
3. Proven Track Record
The government cites impressive statistics:
- Over 700,000 phones recovered
- 42.14 lakh mobile devices blocked
- 82 lakh suspicious SIM cards disconnected
- 26.11 lakh lost or stolen handsets traced
- More than 1.14 crore app registrations
4. Legitimate Legal Authority
The DoT argues the mandate is legally authorized under the Telecom Cyber Security Rules 2024, which empower the government to issue directions for combating telecom-related cybersecurity threats.
How to Use Sanchar Saathi: A User Guide
Whether the app becomes mandatory or remains optional, understanding how to use it effectively is valuable for Indian smartphone users:
Getting Started
1. Download and Installation
- Android: Search "Sanchar Saathi" on Google Play Store
- iOS: Search "Sanchar Saathi" on Apple App Store
- Web Portal: Visit www.sancharsaathi.gov.in
2. Registration
- Open the app and enter your mobile number
- Complete verification via OTP (One-Time Password) sent to your number
- The app will automatically detect your registered mobile numbers
Key Functions
Checking Your Device IMEI:
- Navigate to "Know Your Mobile Device"
- Enter your phone's 15-digit IMEI number (dial *#06# to find it)
- The app will verify if your device is genuine, counterfeit, or blacklisted
Reporting a Lost or Stolen Phone:
- Select "Report Lost/Stolen Mobile"
- Enter device details and IMEI number
- Submit a police complaint reference (required for blocking)
- The device will be blacklisted across all networks within hours
Checking SIM Connections:
- Go to "Know Your Mobile Connections"
- View all SIM cards registered under your identity
- Report any unauthorized connections
- Service providers will re-verify flagged connections
Reporting Fraud (Chakshu):
- Select "Report Suspected Fraud"
- Choose communication type (Call/SMS/WhatsApp/etc.)
- Upload screenshots if available
- Submit details of the suspected fraud
Required Permissions Explained
The app requests several permissions. Understanding why helps users make informed decisions:
- Phone Calls: To automatically detect and report spam calls
- SMS: To complete one-time registration via message to 14522
- Camera: For scanning IMEI barcodes on device packaging
- Storage: To upload fraud evidence screenshots
- Location: To verify device location during fraud reports
Users concerned about privacy should note that declining permissions will limit functionality but won't prevent basic IMEI checking via manual entry.
India's Digital Broader Context
This mandate doesn't exist in isolation. It's part of a broader pattern of increasing government control over digital communications in India:
Recent Related Directives:
- WhatsApp SIM Binding: Last week, DoT ordered messaging platforms to restrict accounts to devices containing the registered SIM card and automatically log out web clients every six hours
- Expanded Oversight Powers: The Telecom Cyber Security Rules 2024 were amended to extend DoT's authority beyond telecom operators to digital communication platforms
- Mandatory Data Localization: Various proposals requiring tech companies to store Indian user data within India's borders
Global Comparisons:
India joins a small number of countries mandating pre-installed government apps:
- Russia: Required pre-installation of the MAX messaging app on all devices starting September 2025, widely criticized as a surveillance tool
- China: Various government-approved apps are required on devices sold in the country
Civil liberties groups worry India is moving toward a model of state-controlled digital infrastructure that resembles authoritarian regimes more than democratic societies.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is the Sanchar Saathi app?
A: Sanchar Saathi is a government-developed mobile application and web portal that helps users verify device authenticity, report fraud, block lost or stolen phones, and monitor SIM connections registered under their name. It integrates with India's Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) to provide centralized telecom security services.
Q: Is Sanchar Saathi mandatory?
A: This is currently unclear. The November 28, 2025 DoT directive requires smartphone manufacturers to pre-install the app in a non-removable way. However, Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia clarified on December 2 that the app is "optional" and users can delete it. The contradiction between the official directive and the Minister's statement has not been formally resolved.
Q: Is Sanchar Saathi portal real or fake?
A: The Sanchar Saathi portal and app are legitimate, officially developed by India's Department of Telecommunications. Apps are available on Google Play Store and Apple App Store under the verified Department of Telecommunications developer account.
Q: Is Sanchar Saathi App safe or not?
A: The app is officially developed by the government and has helped thousands of users recover lost devices. However, privacy advocates have raised concerns about its extensive permissions (camera, microphone, location, SMS, calls) and lack of independent security audits. While the government maintains it's safe and designed solely for fraud prevention, the lack of transparency about data handling makes some users uncomfortable.
Q: What are Sanchar Saathi App benefits?
A: Key benefits include:
- Recovering lost or stolen phones through CEIR blocking
- Verifying if devices are genuine, counterfeit, or blacklisted before purchase
- Checking unauthorized SIM cards registered under your identity
- Reporting fraud calls, SMS, and WhatsApp scams
- Accessing verified bank and financial institution contact information
- Free government-backed security tool with no subscription fees
Q: Will *#21 tell me if my phone is tapped?
A: No. The code *#21# shows call forwarding status on your device, not surveillance or tapping. Phone tapping occurs at the network level and cannot be detected through dial codes. This is a common misconception spread through social media. If you have genuine concerns about device security, consult a cybersecurity professional.
Q: What is the punishment for satellite phone in India?
A: Using unauthorized satellite phones in India can result in imprisonment up to three years, fines, or both under the Telecommunications Act. However, this is unrelated to Sanchar Saathi, which deals with regular mobile phones and their IMEI numbers, not satellite communication devices.
Conclusion: Navigating India's Digital Crossroads
The Sanchar Saathi mandate represents a crucial moment in India's digital journey—a collision between legitimate security needs and fundamental rights to privacy and autonomy.
The government's objectives are not without merit: India does face a massive telecom fraud problem, and millions of citizens have benefited from the Sanchar Saathi platform's services. The recovery of 700,000+ stolen phones and blocking of millions of fraudulent devices represent real, tangible victories.
Yet the manner of implementation—a confidential mandate requiring non-removable installation without public consultation, independent oversight, or clear data policies—has understandably sparked alarm. The comparison to surveillance states like Russia, which implemented similar mandatory government apps, is not mere political hyperbole; it reflects genuine concerns about the erosion of digital autonomy in the world's largest democracy.