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The government’s move to mandate the Sanchar Saathi app on every new smartphone has sparked a national debate: security tool or surveillance threat? With Apple pushing back and privacy concerns rising, what does this mean for millions of users?
The app must be visible, functional, and enabled from first startup
New Delhi: The Sanchar Saathi App has surged back into national headlines after the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) issued a sweeping directive on 28 November 2025 mandating that all smartphone manufacturers and importers pre-install the app on every mobile handset sold in India.
As per the order, the app must be visible, functional, and enabled from first startup; disabling or restricting its features is not allowed. Existing phones already in use are also to be covered via software updates.
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The move has triggered a sharp backlash from privacy advocates, tech-industry leaders, and opposition politicians. The Indian National Congress has called for a parliamentary debate over what it terms “state-mandated surveillance software.” Meanwhile, one of the world’s largest smartphone makers, Apple, has reportedly refused to comply, citing serious security and privacy concerns.
Originally introduced in May 2023 as a web-portal and later launched as a mobile app in January 2025, Sanchar Saathi aims to bolster telecom security for Indian users. The core features of the app are
IMEI Verification: Users can check whether a phone’s IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is genuine or blacklisted — a step to combat sale of stolen or cloned devices.
Report & Block Lost/Stolen Devices: If a handset is lost or stolen, it can be reported via the app so service providers can block it from being reused.
Fraud Reporting: Users can report suspicious calls, SMS messages or links (even from WhatsApp / other platforms) suspected of phishing or scams.
SIM-Check: The app allows users to see all mobile numbers registered under their name — helping detect unauthorized or fraudulent SIM issuance.
According to DoT, the goal is to protect users from telecom fraud, prevent misuse of blacklisted devices, and curb illegal second-hand phone sales.
With rising cases of phone theft, SIM misuse, cloned devices, and cyber-fraud in India’s vast telecommunications ecosystem, the government argues that mandatory inclusion of Sanchar Saathi will help protect consumers and strengthen national telecom security.
Government mandated the preinstallation of the app
DoT’s official order requires that the app be “visible, functional and enabled” at the very first setup of a device, so users are made aware and can access its features immediately. Manufacturers and importers have been given a 90-day window to comply, and must submit compliance reports within 120 days.
Despite the security rationale, the mandatory-preinstall mandate has triggered a fresh debate on privacy, surveillance, and user consent. Critics raise the following concerns:
Unrestricted Data Access: On Android devices, the app requests extensive permissions including call logs, SMS history, storage, camera access, device identity all of which can potentially expose sensitive personal data.
Lack of Transparent Data Handling: Although the government claims that the app does “not automatically collect personal data without user consent,” privacy-rights groups argue that the policies remain vague about data retention, deletion, and user control.
Threat to Individual Autonomy: For many, forced pre-installation of government software undermines the user’s right to digital choice and anonymity, especially in a country with 1.2 billion telecom users. In light of public pressure, the DoT and communications ministry have issued statements offering reassurance that users will reportedly have the option to uninstall the app if they wish.
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If manufacturers comply, nearly all new smartphones sold in India from early 2026 onward will come with Sanchar Saathi pre-installed and active by default. Even phones already in circulation are likely to receive the app via updates.
For citizens, the app could offer real benefits- easier tracking and blocking of stolen phones, better detection of fake IMEIs, and a way to report telecom fraud.
But on the flip side, the imposition of a government-backed app brings serious questions about privacy, surveillance and digital agency. Whether Sanchar Saathi becomes a trusted security tool or a controversial “Big Brother” instrument will depend heavily on how transparently the government handles user data and how much control users retain.
