By: The Trek News Desk
The Government of India has issued a directive requiring all smartphone manufacturers to ship new devices with the government-developed cybersecurity application Sanchar Saathi pre-installed. Although the app is currently available on the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store, installing it has been optional so far. Under the new mandate, users will also be restricted from uninstalling the app.
Three-Month Deadline and Possible Industry Pushback
According to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), companies, including Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo, and others, have been given three months to comply.
Industry insiders suggest that manufacturers may raise concerns, arguing that the directive interferes with user control and core system software.
The DoT has not issued an official comment yet.
Update Required for Existing Smartphones
The government has also directed that:
- New devices must be shipped with Sanchar Saathi built in
- Existing phones must receive the app through an over-the-air software update
A senior DoT official said the initiative is part of a broader national plan to strengthen cybersecurity and curb spam, fraud, and mobile-related crimes.
SIM-Binding Rules Extended to WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal
The new push aligns with the government’s recent order to communication platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal, which must now implement SIM-binding. As part of this policy:
- Apps can only run with the same SIM used during registration
- Apps will not work if the SIM is replaced
- Web versions such as WhatsApp Web will auto-logout every 6 hours
So far, these platforms have authenticated users with OTP verification. To comply with the new rule, apps will need to access the IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity), a unique identifier stored on every SIM card.
Sanchar Saathi: A Key Tool Against Mobile Theft and Fraud
Launched in January, the Sanchar Saathi app has crossed 5 million downloads by August.
Government data shows the app has helped:
- Block 37.28 lakh (3.7 million+) lost or stolen mobile phones
- Trace 22.76 lakh (2.2 million+) devices across the country
Key features include:
- IMEI-based tracking and blocking of lost or stolen phones
- Assistance to authorities in preventing counterfeit or stolen phones from entering black-market channels
- A reporting feature for suspicious calls, SMS, or messaging app fraud
Officials believe that making Sanchar Saathi mandatory will help reduce cybercrime and mobile-related fraud nationwide.
Source: News Agencies
