India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT) on November 28, 2025, issued a directive to major smartphone manufacturers such as Apple, Samsung, Vivo, Oppo, and Xiaomi, requiring them to pre-install the government-backed Sanchar Saathi app on all new devices sold in India, ensure it remains non-deletable and fully functional, and push it via software updates to existing phones in the supply chain within 90 days, with compliance reports due within 120 days.
This citizen-centric measure targets escalating cyber fraud, stolen devices, and spoofed IMEI threats affecting over 1.2 billion telecom subscribers, building on the app’s track record of blocking 4.2 million lost phones, tracing 2.6 million, and recovering 723,638 since May 2023; a December 1 PIB press note confirms the order emphasises visibility at first use, while opposition leaders like Aaditya Thackeray brand it “dictatorship” and Tehseen Poonawalla decry privacy invasions, amid no public responses from manufacturers yet.
Core Security Features
Sanchar Saathi equips users with practical tools to safeguard their devices and connections in an era of rampant digital scams.
Key functions include blocking lost or stolen phones nationwide via IMEI tracking, enabling law enforcement to locate them if reactivated; the Chakshu feature for swift reporting of suspicious calls, SMS, or WhatsApp messages directly from phone logs; verifying device authenticity through Know Your Mobile (KYM); and managing all mobile numbers registered under a user’s name to flag unauthorised ones.
Available on Android and iOS with support for English, Hindi, and 21 regional languages, the app has surpassed 11.4 million downloads, predominantly in Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra, demonstrating strong regional uptake.
The platform’s effectiveness shines through concrete outcomes: since its portal launch in May 2023 and mobile app rollout in January 2025, it has facilitated disconnecting 2.75 crore fraudulent connections, securing over 25 lakh devices initially, and evolving to block 42 lakh stolen phones with 26 lakh recoveries noted in recent updates.
DoT positions it as a frontline defence against IMEI cloning, a grave offence under the Telecommunications Act 2023 punishable by up to three years imprisonment and fines up to 50 lakh rupees. These capabilities empower ordinary citizens to act proactively, humanising the fight against fraud that preys on vulnerable users like the elderly or rural residents unfamiliar with tech-savvy scams.
Directive Details and Timeline
The official directive, leaked via memos and affirmed in a PIB release on December 1, 2025, mandates pre-installation on all handsets manufactured or imported for India, ensuring the app is “readily visible and accessible” during initial setup without any disablement.
Manufacturers must integrate it seamlessly, akin to system apps, and extend it to pre-existing inventory through over-the-air updates, reflecting the government’s urgency amid rising telecom cyber threats.
Compliance timelines are strict: full rollout in 90 days from issuance, followed by detailed reports in 120 days, aligning with broader efforts like SIM-binding mandates to platforms such as WhatsApp.
This move echoes global precedents, such as Russia’s September 2025 requirement for its MAX messenger app on smartphones, tablets, and TVs, which faced accusations of surveillance despite denials.
In India, the app’s web counterpart at sancharsaathi.gov.in logs over 9 crore visits, underscoring public engagement, yet the mandatory push raises questions on enforcement feasibility across diverse ecosystems like Apple’s tightly controlled iOS.
Escalating Privacy Debate
Opposition backlash has been swift and vocal, framing the non-opt-out policy as an overreach into personal data realms of calls, messages, and locations. Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray likened it to “dictatorship without calling it so,” while commentator Tehseen Poonawalla urged awakening to this “outrageous assault on privacy and freedom.”
Critics draw parallels to surveillance tools, fearing it normalises government-mandated tracking without robust safeguards, especially post-leaked directives that preceded official confirmation.
No new incidents have surfaced since the announcement, but the policy intersects with ongoing tensions, including penalties for IMEI tampering and prior fraud crackdowns.
Manufacturers remain silent publicly, potentially navigating conflicts with their app store guidelines that prioritise user control. This tension highlights a broader digital rights discourse, where security measures must not erode civil liberties.
Historical Context and Impact
Launched as a DoT initiative in May 2023, Sanchar Saathi evolved from a web portal tackling cyber frauds into a mobile app by January 2025, crossing 50 lakh downloads within six months and expanding reporting via call/SMS logs.
Early milestones included empowering users against identity theft and spam, with features like direct fraud alerts fostering a sense of agency. The portal’s success 9 crore visits and massive disconnections paved the way for this nationwide mandate, responding to telecom vulnerabilities in a country with explosive smartphone penetration.
Recent stats amplify its relevance: October recoveries alone hit tens of thousands, amid scams exploiting fake SIMs and cloned devices. By verifying handset genuineness, it aims to fortify networks, but the pre-install push marks a pivotal shift from voluntary adoption to compulsion, testing public trust in state-led tech interventions.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Enhancing cyber safety through accessible tools promotes harmony and coexistence by shielding communities from predatory frauds that fracture trust and exploit vulnerabilities. Yet, imposing a permanent, non-removable app without explicit consent risks alienating users, undermining privacy as a cornerstone of empathy and individual dignity in our diverse society.
The Logical Indian urges transparent consultations involving government, tech firms, civil society, and citizens to craft balanced solutions perhaps opt-in prompts or independent audits that empower without encroaching, driving positive change through dialogue over decree.
