Govt Urges Smartphone Makers to Preload Sanchar Saathi App on New Devices: Report

The Ministry of Communications has reportedly asked smartphone makers to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app on new devices. As per the report, the notice was sent to mobile brands operating in the country on November 28, highlighting that users should not be able to uninstall or disable the app. The ministry has reportedly also mentioned that this should be implemented within the next 90 days. The government's cybersecurity app allows users to report suspected fraud calls and SMS, block stolen phones, as well as several other awareness-based features.

Update: On Monday, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) shared the details of the notification sent to smartphone manufacturers publicly via a press release. The details of the circular are same as stated below.

Government Wants Sanchar Saathi App to Be Pre-Installed in Smartphones

According to Reuters, the government has “privately” asked smartphone makers operating in India to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app in all new smartphones. The order from the ministry reportedly also highlights to ensure that the app cannot be deleted or uninstalled. It is said that the ministry is pushing for the app's adoption to tackle cybercrimes and instances of hacking and online scams in the country.

The private order was reportedly shared with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) on November 28, and it gives the companies 90 days to ensure that the app is preloaded on new devices. Additionally, the notice reportedly also mentions that they should install the app in smartphones already in production and circulation via over-the-air (OTA) software updates.

Notably, in 2024, a Counterpoint Research stated that India has 690 million smartphone users, and installing the app in all of these devices could be a monumental task. However, the government is likely confident in the move since the app is said to have recovered more than 7,00,000 lost phones, with 50,000 of them taking place in the month of October. 

The Sanchar Saathi app was launched in January. It features the Chakshu Portal that allows users to report suspected fraudulent calls, SMS, and WhatsApp messages received with a visible sender number. It also lets users block and track lost or stolen smartphones across all telecom networks in the country. Additionally, the app allows users to check the number of mobile connections registered under their name, and report any connections that are not theirs or no longer required.