In an effort to fortify India’s vast telecommunications ecosystem against fraud and theft, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has issued a directive requiring all smartphone manufacturers to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app on every new device entering the market.
Announced late last month, the rule targets the country’s burgeoning mobile user base of over 1.2 billion, aiming to create a unified shield against cybercrime that preys on unsuspecting consumers.
The Sanchar Saathi initiative, which translates to ‘Communication Companion’ in Hindi, emerged in January 2025 as a proactive response to escalating threats in India’s digital landscape. Telecom fraud, including the cloning of SIM cards and the resale of stolen handsets, has long been a problem, contributing to billions in annual losses and eroding public trust in mobile services.
By embedding the app directly into devices from giants like Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi, Oppo, and Vivo, the government is seeking to democratize access to essential security tools that were previously confined to voluntary downloads.
At its core, Sanchar Saathi functions as a digital sentinel for mobile users. The app enables individuals to verify the authenticity of their device’s International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI), a unique 15-digit serial number that serves as the phone’s digital fingerprint. In a market rife with counterfeit devices, this feature allows buyers to scan and confirm whether a handset is genuine or flagged as stolen, preventing unwitting purchases that could entangle consumers in criminal networks.
Early adopters have already reaped benefits. Since its launch, the platform has facilitated the blocking of more than 4.2 million lost or stolen phones and the disconnection of over 30 million fraudulent connections, according to DoT statistics.
Beyond IMEI checks, the app empowers users to report suspicious activities with ease. Features include flagging spam calls, malicious SMS messages, and even international calls masquerading as local Indian numbers, a common tactic used by scammers operating from abroad.
Users can also monitor the number of active mobile connections linked to their identity, a critical safeguard against identity theft where fraudsters open accounts in victims’ names without consent. For those hit by misfortune, the app streamlines the process of blacklisting a lost device across all major telecom networks, enabling law enforcement to trace and recover it swiftly, regardless of the carrier.
The directive, formalized under the Telecommunication Cybersecurity Amendment Rules on November 28, gives manufacturers a 90-day window to integrate the app into new production lines and imported stock. For existing devices already in circulation, numbering around 735 million smartphones, the rollout will occur via over-the-air software updates, ensuring broad coverage without disrupting daily use.
Compliance reports are due within 120 days. ‘This is about empowering every citizen with the tools to protect their digital lives,’ a DoT spokesperson emphasized, highlighting how the app’s non-intrusive design requires user registration only for active features.
Yet, the mandate has ignited a fierce debate, blending optimism with unease in India’s tech-savvy corridors. Opposition voices and privacy advocates have called it a potential gateway to state surveillance, drawing parallels to similar policies in countries like China and Russia, where mandatory apps have raised alarms over data misuse.
Social media erupted with concerns about the app’s permissions, which include access to call and SMS logs for fraud reporting – permissions that, while limited to user-initiated actions, could theoretically expose sensitive patterns if mishandled. A recent darknet breach involving 815 million Indian citizens’ records, including Aadhaar and passport data, has only amplified these fears, prompting questions about whether government tools like Sanchar Saathi could inadvertently become vectors for larger vulnerabilities.
Adding fuel to the fire, major manufacturers have pushed back. Apple, known for its stringent privacy standards, has reportedly flagged potential security risks in adapting iOS for the requirement, while Samsung and others argue that the policy complicates global supply chains optimized for export.
Industry insiders suggest a compromise. By suggesting that the latest order be a non-binding advisory that encourages voluntary promotion of the app through app store highlights and in-device prompts, rather than forced bundling.
Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia moved quickly to quell the storm, addressing reporters outside Parliament on December 2. ‘Sanchar Saathi is entirely optional – download it, use it, or delete it at will,’ he asserted. ‘No one is compelled to register or keep it; it’s there to inform and protect, not to intrude.’ This clarification aligns with the app’s architecture – functionalities remain dormant until activated, and uninstallation is straightforward, with no penalties for opting out. Mr. Scindia framed the initiative as a public service akin to seatbelt reminders in cars – essential for safety but ultimately a personal choice.
As the 90-day clock ticks toward March 2026, proponents hail it as a game-changer for curbing the $10 billion annual toll of telecom scams, while skeptics urge robust independent audits to ensure data stays siloed and secure. With over 10 million downloads already under its belt, the app’s voluntary phase has proven its mettle; now, the question is whether mandatory visibility will tip the scales toward wider adoption or deeper division.