📱 What is Sanchar Saathi & What’s the Government’s Move
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has issued a directive on November 28, 2025 — requiring all mobile phone manufacturers and importers to pre-install Sanchar Saathi on every smartphone sold in India, with the app visible during first-time setup. (Hindustan Times)
For phones already in the supply chain, companies must push the app via software updates. The compliance window is 90 days; non-compliance may invite action under the Telecommunications Act, 2023 and associated cybersecurity rules. (Al Jazeera)
Sanchar Saathi was originally launched to help ordinary users:
- verify IMEI of phones to detect fake or duplicate devices,
- check all mobile connections issued in one’s name,
- report lost/stolen phones and block them,
- report suspicious telecom activity or spam/fraud calls/messages. (India Today)
The DoT says the move aims to curb resale of stolen phones, fake IMEIs, and telecom fraud — especially relevant in India’s large second-hand device market. (The New Indian Express)
🔊 Industry Reaction — Apple & Others Push Back
Not all major smartphone makers have welcomed the order. In particular, Apple has reportedly told Indian authorities it does not plan to comply with mandatory pre-loading, citing its global policy against bundling third-party or government apps with iPhones. (Reuters)
Other manufacturers (Samsung, Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo) are said to be reviewing the mandate and evaluating technical compliance. (www.ndtv.com)
The standoff highlights a key tension: while the DoT seeks a one-size-fits-all approach to curb telecom fraud, some OEMs argue that mandatory pre-installed, undeletable apps conflict with device ecosystems and user expectations — especially on iOS. (The Verge)
⚠️ Privacy, Surveillance & Public Backlash
The directive triggered widespread concern among privacy advocates, civil-liberties groups, opposition politicians, and ordinary citizens. Many warned that bundling a government-run app by default — potentially undeletable — could open the door to mass surveillance and erode user consent. (The Financial Express)
Some critics used strong language: calling it a “Big Brother move”, a “dictatorial overreach”, and warning it could undermine fundamental rights to privacy enshrined under Article 21 of the Constitution. (The Financial Express)
Civil-rights organisations, including digital-freedom advocates, also flagged the lack of transparency over what data the app collects, how it’s stored, and how misuse or future expansion might be prevented. (Al Jazeera)
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🗣️ Government’s Counter & Political Fallout
Faced with mounting criticism, Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia addressed the controversy on December 2, 2025. He clarified that Sanchar Saathi is optional — users are free to delete/uninstall the app even if pre-installed. (The Times of India)
According to Scindia, the government’s aim is to make the tool widely available so every user can protect themselves — but ultimately, keeping or deleting the app is up to the user. He defended the initiative as a necessary measure against “a grave risk to cybersecurity,” claiming the app had helped block fraudulent connections and recover stolen phones. (The New Indian Express)
Still, opposition parties and some civil-liberties voices reject the explanation, citing the contradictory nature of mandating pre-installation while preserving “user choice.” The political row deepened, with calls to revoke the mandate or at least guarantee strong data-privacy safeguards. (The Financial Express)
📌 What It Means for Users — Practical Takeaways
- If you buy a new smartphone in India in the next few months, it will probably come with Sanchar Saathi pre-installed (assuming OEM complies). According to the minister’s statement, you can still delete/uninstall it if you wish. (The New Indian Express)
- If you buy a second-hand phone, it might be wise to use the Sanchar Saathi portal/app to check the IMEI, and ensure the device isn’t blacklisted or previously stolen — the app’s main stated utility. (India Today)
- If you value privacy and control, watch for future transparency measures — specifically about what data the app collects, how it’s stored, and whether user consent is truly respected.
- For now, stay alert: this debate is evolving quickly. Legal challenges and industry pushback (especially from Apple) may influence how — or whether — the directive is fully implemented.
📰 The Bigger Picture
The Sanchar Saathi mandate is more than a telecom-safety measure — it has become a flashpoint in India’s ongoing struggle between cybersecurity, convenience, and digital privacy rights.
As the rule undergoes scrutiny from industry, courts, civil-liberties organizations, and political opposition — the outcome could set a major precedent. Will smartphones sold in India become de facto surveillance-ready devices? Or will user autonomy and privacy demand stronger safeguards?
One thing is clear: for millions of mobile users — from first-time buyers to second-hand shoppers — Sanchar Saathi’s fate will impact not just how we buy phones, but how we think about freedom, consent and digital rights in 2026 and beyond.