Patna: The Indian government has ordered smartphone manufacturers to preload the Sanchar Saathi app on every new device sold in the country — and has barred users from deleting or disabling it. The directive, sent privately to mobile brands on November 28, is part of a sweeping push to tackle the surge in online scams, fraud calls and digital theft.
According to a Reuters report, companies must comply within 90 days and also roll out the app via OTA updates to devices already in production.
Why Sanchar Saathi Is Being Made Mandatory
The Ministry of Communications believes that embedding the app into all smartphones will significantly strengthen user protection. Launched in January 2025, Sanchar Saathi acts as a centralised security and reporting tool, allowing users to flag fraudulent calls, suspicious messages and online scams.
Despite steady government promotion, awareness of the app remains low — prompting this major policy shift. Officials say the aim is to ensure that every smartphone user, tech-savvy or not, has immediate access to essential cyber-safety tools.
A Response to India’s Escalating Cybercrime
India is witnessing an unprecedented rise in cyber offences, from banking fraud and WhatsApp scams to identity theft. With nearly 690 million smartphone users, the scale of vulnerability is immense.
Authorities say Sanchar Saathi has already shown impact:
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7 lakh lost or stolen phones have been recovered through the system
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50,000 devices were traced in October alone
By making the app unavoidable on every handset, the government hopes to accelerate fraud reporting and simplify recovery of stolen devices.
What Sanchar Saathi Offers
More than a complaint platform, the app integrates several digital safety services. Its flagship feature is the Chakshu Portal, designed to detect and report scams in real time.
| Feature | What it does |
|---|---|
| Chakshu Portal | Report fraudulent calls, SMS and WhatsApp messages |
| Lost/Stolen Phone Block | Immediately block stolen or missing phones |
| Nationwide Tracking | Track devices across networks |
| Mobile Connection Check | Shows how many SIMs are registered under your name |
| Unwanted Connection Reporting | Flag unauthorised or suspicious mobile numbers |
A Big Technical Task for Smartphone Makers
Manufacturers must now ensure that:
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Every new smartphone ships with the app preloaded
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Users cannot uninstall or disable it
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Existing devices in the production pipeline receive an OTA update
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Implementation is completed within 90 days
While this poses logistical challenges, especially for global companies operating at scale, officials maintain that user safety is non-negotiable.
A Step Toward Safer Digital India
If implemented smoothly, experts believe the mandatory rollout could dramatically reduce cyber fraud by boosting awareness and ensuring instant access to security tools. For users, the change may feel restrictive — but policymakers argue it is essential in a high-risk digital era.
