India’s telecom ministry has directed smartphone manufacturers to preload the government’s Sanchar Saathi cyber security app on all new devices sold in the country.
The order, issued privately on November 28, gives companies 90 days to comply and specifies that the app cannot be removed by users. The move comes as authorities step up efforts to curb rising cyber crime, phone theft, and IMEI-based fraud, Reuters news report said.
The directive applies to all smartphone makers operating in India, including Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi, Vivo, and Oppo. For devices already in the supply chain, manufacturers have been asked to deliver the app through software updates.
Government Pushes for Stronger Cyber Protection
India, with more than 1.2 billion mobile phone subscribers, has faced a rise in cyber fraud, including the misuse of duplicate or spoofed IMEI numbers. The telecom ministry argues that mandatory deployment of Sanchar Saathi is necessary to counter what it calls the “serious endangerment” of telecom cyber security.
Launched in January, the app has already recorded significant impact. Government data shows that more than 700,000 lost or stolen phones have been recovered through Sanchar Saathi, including 50,000 devices in October. The app offers tools to block stolen devices, track phones across all networks, and detect fraudulent mobile connections.
With more than 5 million downloads, Sanchar Saathi has facilitated the blocking of over 3.7 million lost or stolen phones and enabled the termination of more than 30 million fraudulent mobile connections. The government says the platform is helping reduce cyber threats, prevent misuse of IMEI numbers, and keep counterfeit devices out of the market.
Concerns Over User Consent and Privacy
The mandate has sparked concern among privacy advocates and technology law experts. Legal specialist Mishi Choudhary noted that compulsory pre-installation effectively removes user choice, raising questions over digital consent and device autonomy.
India’s move echoes similar requirements in other countries. Russia recently faced criticism for ordering the pre-installation of its state-developed MAX messenger app on smartphones.
Apple Faces a Policy Clash
Apple is expected to push back against the new rule. While Apple preloads its own apps on iPhones, its internal policies prohibit installation of any government or third-party applications before a device is sold. The company has historically rejected such requests from governments, and analysts believe Apple may seek a compromise that encourages—but does not force—users to install Sanchar Saathi.
Apple’s iOS accounts for roughly 4.5 percent of India’s 735 million smartphones as of mid-2025, according to Counterpoint Research, while Android dominates the rest of the market.
Other companies, including Google, Samsung, and Xiaomi, have not yet commented on the government’s order. The telecom ministry has also not responded publicly.
A Powerful Tool Against Mobile Fraud
At the core of the initiative is the IMEI, a unique 14- to 17-digit identifier embedded in every handset. Sanchar Saathi uses a central database to help users block stolen devices, verify legitimate connections, and prevent criminals from exploiting IMEI tampering to commit fraud.
As cyber threats escalate and digital payments grow, India is seeking more robust mechanisms to protect users and telecom networks. The mandatory installation of Sanchar Saathi marks a major shift in India’s digital security strategy, setting the stage for a potential clash with smartphone manufacturers while aiming to strengthen national cyber resilience.
TelecomLead.com News Desk