Government Makes Sanchar Saathi Mandatory on All Smartphones Across India
The Indian government has officially confirmed that the Sanchar Saathi app will now be mandatory on all smartphones in the country. The directive comes shortly after reports surfaced about a confidential memo sent to phone manufacturers, which has now been validated by a PIB press release. The app, once installed, cannot be deleted or disabled by users, raising widespread concerns over privacy and surveillance.
What the government has ordered
According to the government’s instructions to phone companies, all devices manufactured or imported for India must have the Sanchar Saathi app pre-installed and visible during setup, with no option for users to restrict or remove it. Smartphone brands such as Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi, and Vivo must comply within 90 days and submit a compliance report within 120 days.
Why Sanchar Saathi is being made compulsory
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) argues that the mandate is necessary to counter the surge in cyber fraud, fake IMEI numbers, and illegal phone usage. The government states that the app will help users block stolen phones, verify device authenticity, report suspicious activity, and prevent misuse of telecom resources.
The PIB release claims the app will act as a protective shield for citizens by enhancing the effectiveness of existing systems, such as CEIR (Central Equipment Identity Register).
What is Sanchar Saathi?
Sanchar Saathi is a government-developed mobile security platform designed to help users:
– Block lost or stolen phones across all networks
– Verify IMEI numbers to detect counterfeit devices
– Check how many mobile numbers are linked to their ID
– Report fraud or suspicious communication
– Assist law enforcement with device tracking
However, app store listings reveal that Sanchar Saathi requires several permissions, including access to messages, call logs, camera, and network information—raising concerns about overreach.
How the app works
Once installed, Sanchar Saathi links the device’s IMEI to CEIR. If a user reports a phone as lost or stolen, CEIR blocks the IMEI across all networks, making the device unusable even with a new SIM. The app also alerts users about unauthorized SIMs issued in their name and verifies whether a device’s IMEI has been tampered with.
Government data states that CEIR has so far helped recover over 7 lakh phones, block 37 lakh stolen devices, and deactivate 3 crore fraudulent connections.
Why the move is controversial
The mandatory nature of the app has triggered debate across the country. Critics say governments in Russia and China enforce similar compulsory apps, raising fears of surveillance in India. Social media users argue that making the app undeletable opens the door to monitoring calls, texts, and device usage.
Political commentator Tehseen Poonawala posted:
“This is a blatant assault on privacy. By forcing an undeletable app, the government will have the power to track us like criminals.”
As public concern grows, experts are calling for clarity on data protection and transparency regarding how collected information will be used.
