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The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) of India has mandated smartphone producers to install a government-supported cybersecurity application, “Sanchar Saathi,” on all new gadgets distributed within the nation.
The directive, which was communicated privately on November 28, 2025, provides major companies like Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi, Vivo, and Oppo a period of 90 days to adhere, necessitating the installation of the “Sanchar Saathi” app as a non-removable component on each device.
This action reflects a notable increase in state influence over consumer electronics in the world’s second-largest telecom arena, which has over 1.2 billion users.
Officials from the government maintain that this initiative is an essential defense against a rise in digital scams and cybercriminal activities. As stated in the directive, the app functions as a “citizen-centric” defense, allowing authorities to reduce the usage of stolen phones and tackle spoofed IMEI numbers, frequently utilized in illegal acts.
Sanchar Saathi: A Digital “Communication Companion”
Introduced earlier this year, the Sanchar Saathi (in Hindi, “Communication Companion”) platform was originally a web portal aimed at empowering mobile users. The obligatory app version incorporates numerous critical safety functionalities directly within the user interface:
- Chakshu: A reporting feature for suspected fraudulent communications, including harmful calls, SMS, or WhatsApp messages.
- Lost/Stolen Mobile Blocking: Leverages the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) to disable stolen devices across all networks, making them ineffectual for thieves.
- Connection Management: Enables users to verify “Know Mobile Connections in Your Name” to detect unapproved SIM cards linked to their identity.
- Genuineness Checks: Confirms the authenticity of a device’s hardware and IMEI.
While the government emphasizes that over 700,000 recovered phones have allegedly been located through the system, the compulsory aspect of the app has raised immediate concerns.
Industry Pushback and Privacy Fears
The order mandates that the app be “undeletable,” a stipulation that is anticipated to alarm privacy advocates and producers like Apple, which has traditionally resisted pre-installing third-party applications.
Executives within the industry, speaking under anonymity, expressed dissatisfaction regarding the absence of prior dialogue, concerned that the “enforced” app could undermine user trust and device efficiency.
Privacy advocates worry that a government-managed app with extensive access rights could potentially be exploited for surveillance. Nevertheless, the Indian government has repeatedly denied such intentions, asserting that the directive is strictly a protective measure for consumers.
Manufacturers are also required to distribute the app to existing users via software updates, ensuring that the entire active user demographic is ultimately included.
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