The Centre’s direction asking mobile phone manufacturers to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app on all new and imported devices has triggered a sharp political confrontation, with Opposition parties alleging that the move paves the way for state surveillance. The government, however, maintains that the directive is meant to strengthen citizen protection against cyber fraud and assist in recovering lost or stolen devices.
What Sanchar Saathi offers
Sanchar Saathi is a Central digital safety platform that provides several citizen-oriented services through its app and web portal. One of its key features, Chakshu, allows users to report suspected cyber fraud or commercial spam calls. The platform also helps flag malicious website links, phishing attempts, device cloning, and fraudulent communication received via SMS, RCS, iMessage and social media platforms including WhatsApp and Telegram.
The website associated with the app states that such proactive reporting aids the Department of Telecommunications in preventing misuse of telecom resources for cybercrime and financial fraud.
What the Centre has mandated
The Department of Telecommunications, under the Ministry of Communications led by Jyotiraditya Scindia, has instructed mobile phone manufacturers to pre-install Sanchar Saathi in all devices produced or imported in India within 90 days from November 28. The notice also directs companies to ensure the app is visible during initial device setup and that its functions cannot be disabled.
For phones already manufactured, the app must be added through software updates. The government has warned that non-compliance will attract action.
Opposition raises privacy concerns
Political criticism intensified soon after the directive was issued. Congress leader KC Venugopal termed the move “beyond unconstitutional”, asserting that a pre-loaded government application that cannot be removed infringes on citizens’ right to privacy under Article 21. He argued that such an app could enable monitoring of individual activities and demanded an immediate rollback.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi also criticised the decision, describing it as “another BIG BOSS surveillance moment”. She said such measures would be opposed, arguing that the government should focus on stronger grievance-redressal systems instead of creating surveillance mechanisms.
Industry concerns surface
A report by media suggests the directive may lead to friction with major phonemakers, particularly Apple, which has previously resisted similar requirements citing user privacy and security. Apple, Samsung and Xiaomi did not respond to queries, nor did the Communications Ministry.
Two industry sources told media that manufacturers were not consulted before the order was issued.
According to figures displayed on the Sanchar Saathi website, the platform has enabled the blocking of 42 lakh stolen phones and helped in recovering 26 lakh devices. The app has recorded over 1 crore downloads on Android and nearly 10 lakh on iOS.