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Veteran journalist Manoj Tibrewal Aakash explained that the Sanchar Saathi app, developed by India’s Department of Telecommunications, has sparked nationwide debate after the government ordered its pre-installation on all smartphones.
New Delhi: Today, we are going to break down a controversy that has sparked strong reactions on the streets and triggered heated debates inside Parliament, dominating the ongoing winter session. This controversy revolves around the Sanchar Saathi app. The government’s directive asking mobile companies to pre-install this app on all new smartphones has ignited widespread uproar.
In this discussion, we will explain in detail what the Sanchar Saathi app is, why the government wants it pre-installed, why the opposition claims it threatens the privacy and security of ordinary citizens, and whether it can indeed be used for surveillance. We will also examine the app’s benefits, risks, technical challenges, legal questions, and the broader national debate it has triggered.
By the end of this analysis, you will have a complete understanding of every aspect of the Sanchar Saathi controversy.
Senior journalist Manoj Tibrewal Aakash explained on his show The MTA Speaks that the Sanchar Saathi app has been developed by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT).It is a centralized mobile security platform that works in both web portal and mobile app forms. It is designed as a single platform where several services related to mobile security and consumer protection are available in one place. Through this platform, users can check IMEI numbers, report stolen or lost mobile phones, file fraud complaints, and view information about potential risks associated with their numbers. Its most talked-about feature is its integration with CEIR—Central Equipment Identity Register—which allows any stolen or lost mobile phone to be blocked on all networks across the country. This means that if your phone is stolen, blocking its IMEI will prevent it from working on any network. It can also be used to determine whether your phone is genuine or fake, and whether any cloned phone is being used in your name.
Another major feature of the Sanchar Saathi app is that users can check the mobile numbers linked to their Aadhaar or any other valid ID and see how many mobile connections are issued in their name. This can help prevent SIM card fraud and fake mobile connections. The app also facilitates reporting of suspicious and spam calls, enabling the Department of Telecommunications to take action against such numbers. It simplifies police investigations in finding stolen phones, as it expedites the process of tracking and blocking the device's IMEI. The government claims that the objective of the Sanchar Saathi app is to protect consumers from cyber fraud, simplify procedures for dealing with phone theft, and increase awareness about mobile security in the country.
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This app was first launched as a web portal in 2023 and then as a mobile app in January 2025. Initially, there was not much controversy surrounding the app, as it was voluntary. However, on November 28, 2025, the Department of Telecommunications issued a new order to smartphone manufacturers and importers stating that all smartphones sold in India must have the Sanchar Saathi app pre-installed, and it should also be rolled out to existing phones through software updates. A 90-day deadline was set for implementing this order. The government states that this is a step related to both consumer protection and national security. If mobile security and consumer protection are to be strengthened, then making this app accessible to the public is essential.
But this is where the controversy begins. As soon as this directive was issued, opposition parties, civil rights groups, and privacy experts attacked the government. The opposition argues that any government order mandating the pre-installation of a digital tool on phones is against privacy, civil liberties, and consumer rights. They say that if an app is mandatory on phones, it could pave the way for surveillance and data access in the future. Several opposition MPs asked in Parliament whether the app would be limited only to IMEI and cybersecurity purposes? Could the app access the user's location data, metadata, communication patterns, or other sensitive information? Is there a clear legal framework for this? Will its code, data policy, and security standards be made publicly available for independent audit?
These questions led to a huge uproar within Parliament and made it one of the hottest issues of the winter session. Data protection experts say that even if the government's intention is consumer protection, mandating the pre-installation of any digital tool goes against the principle of "user control." The smartphone industry also appeared uneasy about this issue. Several large tech companies stated that they would comply with government regulations, but noted that this directive could also increase the technical burden, given challenges related to user experience, data privacy, and the increasing number of pre-installed apps on devices. This issue is particularly sensitive for international companies especially those like Apple as they have already faced opposition in several countries regarding pre-loaded government apps. Industry experts say that this order will increase 'software bloat' and could impact the independence of the app ecosystem. Therefore, technical and legal discussions between policymakers and the industry are crucial.
On a positive note, if the Sanchar Saathi app functions transparently and remains focused solely on IMEI tracking, theft reporting, and cyber awareness, it could become a powerful tool in preventing mobile fraud. The year 2024-25 witnessed a sharp rise in digital crimes, with over ₹800 crore lost to various frauds. In response, the government is pushing for stricter mobile security measures. The web version of the app has already handled millions of complaints, including cases of fake SIM connections, cyber fraud, and fraudulent calls. Many of these complaints involved cybercriminals using stolen identities to issue SIM cards and infiltrate bank accounts. By facilitating faster investigations, the Sanchar Saathi app has already proven its effectiveness in tackling such crimes.
But the concerns don't end there. The big question now is whether this app can be used for surveillance? Technical experts say that whether or not this app can be used for spying will depend on the permissions it is granted. If an app is given device-level access, permission to run in the background, location tracking, or access to system logs and network logs—then the possibilities of surveillance arise. Therefore, it is extremely important that the government provides complete clarity at the policy level regarding which permissions the app will require, where the data will be stored, whether the data will be end-to-end encrypted, which servers will be used, and whether the public will have a real option to uninstall or disable it.
As the controversy escalated, Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia came to Parliament to clarify the matter. He told the House that the Sanchar Saathi app is designed entirely for consumer protection and there is no need to spread rumors about it. Minister Scindia said that approximately 800 crore rupees worth of fraud occurred in India last year alone, and the government's objective is to protect the public from this cancer of fraud. He stated that the app is not mandatory; users should only activate it if they wish to use it, otherwise there is no compulsion. He also clarified that it is not possible to spy on anyone using this app and that it is only used for security-related purposes. Scindia stated that it is the government's responsibility to provide people with the right security tools so that citizens can protect themselves from fraud and cybercrimes.
Although the government's clarification has somewhat calmed the controversy, it has not completely ended it. Digital rights activists and cyber experts are still emphasizing that complete transparency is essential for any government security product. They demand that the app's source code, data handling policy, encryption methods, server location, and independent security audit report be made public. They say that until this happens, public suspicion will remain. Digital rights groups argue that if the government is completely transparent in its intentions, the Sanchar Saathi app can truly become a friend to the public—but opacity and mandatory use create distrust among people.
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Data protection laws in India are still evolving. The Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDP Act) 2023 has been implemented, but many of its rules and regulations are not yet fully finalized. In such a situation, it becomes essential for the data policy associated with any government app to be clear. Experts say that the app should only collect minimal data—that is, no more than what is necessary. It should also be ensured that the app does not process any data without the user's consent. International standards also state that before implementing any security tool, an independent audit of its risks should be conducted and concrete measures should be taken to prevent data misuse.
The controversy surrounding the Sanchar Saathi app is likely to continue unless the government takes clear steps toward transparency. If all technical details, data policies, and guidelines are made public after consultation with industry experts, civil society, and cybersecurity specialists, the app could play a major role in strengthening mobile security in India. Without such transparency if permissions remain unclear or independent audits are not conducted the controversy will intensify, public trust will erode, and the app’s intended security benefits may fail to reach the citizens.
