Is Sanchar Saathi Mandatory Now? Everything You Need to Know

India’s mobile ecosystem has grown into one of the world’s largest, with over a billion users relying on their phones for banking, government services, entertainment, and daily
communication.

As cybercrimes have surged in recent years, protecting mobile users has become a national priority.

This is the backdrop against which the government launched the ‘Sanchar Saathi’ mobile app and, recently, in late November 2025, directed smartphone makers to ensure the app is available on all new devices sold in the country.

What is Sanchar Saathi App?

The Sanchar Saathi app was launched to assist citizens in protecting their phones, reporting fraud, verifying mobile connections, and blocking lost or stolen phones.

This app is available in Hindi language along with 21 other regional languages. One can download it on both Android and iOS devices.

Sanchar Saathi app has swiftly adopted since its introduction in January 2025 and has achieved more than 1.4 crore downloads.

Government statistics indicate that it has assisted in blocking over 42 lakh phones that were stolen or lost, in locating 26 lakh mobile phones, as well as in preventing financial fraud of about INR 475 crore.

Its features include:

• Checking a phone’s IMEI number
• Verifying if a handset is genuine
• Tracking lost devices
• Reporting suspicious calls or messages
• And identifying fraudulent mobile connections created through forged KYC documents.

The platform also supports reporting international calls that appear with Indian numbers, and helps users check details of internet service providers in their area.

What will the Sanchar Sathi app do?

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has developed Sanchar Saathi portal & App which allows users to check genuineness of a mobile handset through the IMEI number along with other features like reporting suspected fraud communications, lost/ stolen mobile handsets, check mobile connections in their name, trusted contact details of banks/ financial institutions.

In News: Government’s Brief Pre-Installation Order & Its Withdrawal

In late November 2025, the Department of Telecommunications issued a directive asking smartphone manufacturers and importers to ensure the app was pre-installed or made readily accessible on all new devices sold in the country, with a requirement that its functionalities “cannot be disabled or restricted.”

However, on 3 December 2025, the government withdrew that directive. The Ministry of Communications stated that, Given Sanchar Saathi’s increasing acceptance, the Government has decided not to make the pre-installation mandatory for mobile manufacturers.

This decision came out when multiple privacy activists, tech companies, and opposition parties criticized the idea of pre-installation. They flagged concerns over potential surveillance and infringement on user privacy.

Government spokespersons, including Jyotiraditya Scindia, now reaffirm that the app remains voluntary, users can choose not to download it, or can delete it if they wish.

Privacy Concerns and Industry Pushback

Sanchar Saathi’s initial mandate had brought out several debate topics. Cyber experts and digital rights groups have raised concerns about the extensive permissions the app requests, including access to call logs, messages, camera, files, and device functions. Critics claim that such wide access to a state-generated application may lead to overcollection of data or spying.

The Internet Freedom Foundation stated that the directive effectively forces every smartphone to carry government software that users cannot remove.

Analysts also pointed out that it would be a challenge for international tech companies like Apple to maintain compliance. It is so because Apple generally does not often permit pre-installed third-party government applications, outside the markets of China and Russia.

As noted by technology experts, the only problem is to what extent any pre-installed app should have access to a personal device. Although the Play Store listing of the Sanchar Saathi app states that the application does not gather or distribute any user data, experts note that the permissions alone raise questions about oversight, auditing, and long-term data handling.

Balancing Security and Privacy

Sanchar Saathi has undeniably delivered strong results in curbing telecom fraud and improving user protection. It has assisted in rescuing over 7 lakh lost devices, assisted in shutting down millions of fraudulent SIM connections, and made the security of telecom infrastructure better.

Its impact in a large market like India shows how useful practical cybersecurity software can be in helping people protect their digital identities.

But at the same time, the debate reflects a broader challenge faced by many countries: how to enhance public safety without compromising user privacy. India has over 1.2 billion mobile users; therefore, it needs to strike a balance between the risks of excessive data access and the benefits of fraud prevention.

The coming months will reveal if transparency, privacy, and security can work together under the new guidelines.

A Future Built on Trust

The Sanchar Saathi initiative can play a significant role in the Indian digital safety strategy, particularly at a time when cyber threats are still dynamic. Its success will, however, be based on how it keeps the user rights, how it protects data, and clarity on permissions is also a crucial factor to consider during implementation.

The app is currently at a cross-section of two important priorities: national security and personal privacy, and thus, it is one of the most monitored digital initiatives of 2025.

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