Indian Government Mandates Sanchar Saathi App on All New Smartphones
The Indian government has ordered all smartphone manufacturers, including Apple, Samsung, Vivo, and others, to pre-install its cybersecurity app, Sanchar Saathi, on all new devices sold in the country. The directive, aimed at curbing phone theft and online scams, makes the app non-removable and gives companies 90 days to comply.
Key Takeaways
- The government order was issued on November 28 and applies to all major brands.
- The Sanchar Saathi app must be pre-installed and cannot be disabled by users.
- Apple’s global policy against third-party pre-installs sets up a major compliance clash.
- The app has reportedly helped recover over 700,000 lost phones and block millions of fraudulent connections.
What is the Sanchar Saathi App?
The Sanchar Saathi is a state-owned cybersecurity tool that uses a phone’s unique IMEI number to protect users from network misuse and fraud. Since its launch in January, the government claims it has been highly effective.
Official performance figures for the app include:
- Recovered over 700,000 lost phones, with 50,000 recovered in October 2024 alone.
- Blocked more than 3.7 million stolen or lost mobile devices.
- Terminated over 30 million fraudulent telecom connections.
The government mandate cites the need to combat the “serious endangerment” from duplicate or spoofed IMEI numbers, which are commonly used in scams.
The Major Hurdle: Will Apple Comply?
The biggest challenge to this order is expected from Apple. The company’s strict global policy prohibits the pre-installation of any third-party or government applications on its devices before sale. Apple has a history of clashes with Indian telecom regulators, setting a precedent for potential resistance.
Industry Concerns and Next Steps
While the app’s crime-fighting record is strong, the directive has raised concerns within the mobile industry. Two anonymous industry sources highlighted the lack of prior consultation with manufacturers, pointing to significant technical and policy hurdles for rapid deployment within the 90-day deadline.
Manufacturers are also required to push the app via software updates to devices already in the supply chain.
