India’s digital landscape is undergoing a significant shift with the government reportedly mandating that all new smartphones sold in India come pre-loaded with the Sanchar Saathi app, a state-owned cybersecurity tool. This move raises important questions about user choice and data privacy in the country.
This mandate can be seen as a digital measure designed to combat cyber threats and track lost or stolen devices. The government order, dated November 28th, gives manufacturers like Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi, Vivo, Oppo, and OnePlus 90 days to comply.
Key Details of the Mandate
The directive, as reported by Reuters, stipulates that the Sanchar Saathi app must be pre-installed and, crucially, uninstallable. For devices already in the supply chain, manufacturers are expected to push the app via software updates.
The government’s rationale is that this measure is essential to safeguarding its 1.2 billion mobile subscribers from fraud and cybercrime, especially given the rapid expansion of smartphone adoption in the market. The app is designed to help prevent cyber threats, assist in tracking and blocking lost or stolen phones, aid police in tracing devices, and keep counterfeits out of the black market.
Core Features
Launched in January 2025 by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), the Sanchar Saathi app aims to provide citizens with tools to protect themselves against digital fraud. According to the telecom department, the citizen-centric tool brings robust security features and fraud-reporting capabilities directly to users’ smartphones. It’s positioned as on-the-go protection against identity theft, forged KYC, device theft, banking fraud, and other cyber risks.
Key Features Include:
- Tracking and Blocking: Users can block and track lost or stolen smartphones across all telecom networks.
- Fraudulent Connections: The app allows users to identify and disconnect fraudulent mobile connections.
According to government data, the Sanchar Saathi mobile app has crossed 50 lakh downloads as of August 2025. Over 37.28 lakh stolen/lost mobile devices have been successfully blocked and more than 22.76 lakh devices have been traced from the Sanchar Saathi LIVE dashboard.
Privacy and Control
While the Indian government presents this as a necessary security measure, the mandate is likely to face scrutiny from privacy advocates and potentially spark pushback from smartphone manufacturers. Concerns will undoubtedly center on data collection practices, the potential for government surveillance, and the lack of user control over pre-installed software.
The compulsory nature of the app raises questions about user consent and the extent to which governments should dictate the software on personal devices. It also sets a precedent that other nations might follow, potentially leading to a future where smartphones are increasingly controlled by state-mandated applications.
Security vs. Liberty
India‘s move could be interpreted as a bold step towards digital sovereignty, asserting control over its digital infrastructure and protecting its citizens from cyber threats. However, it also raises fundamental questions about the balance between security and individual liberties in the digital age.
Whether this mandate will truly enhance cybersecurity or simply erode user trust remains to be seen. One thing is clear: the Sanchar Saathi app is about to become a ubiquitous part of the Indian smartphone experience.
