India is set to mandate the pre-installation of a state-owned cybersecurity application, Sanchar Saathi, on all new smartphones sold within the country. This directive, issued by the telecoms ministry, aims to combat cybercrime, prevent fraud, track lost or stolen phones, and ensure mobile web safety. The order, sent privately to smartphone manufacturers on November 28, 2025, requires compliance within 90 days. Manufacturers are also expected to push the app to existing devices through software updates.
The Sanchar Saathi app, which translates to "communication companion," is designed to help users block and track lost or stolen smartphones across all telecom networks using a central registry. It also allows users to identify and disconnect fraudulent mobile connections. Since its launch in January 2025, the app has reportedly been downloaded more than five million times and has aided in blocking over 3.7 million stolen or lost mobile phones and terminating more than 30 million fraudulent connections. Government figures also indicate that the app has helped recover over 700,000 lost phones.
The government has stated the app is essential to combat cybersecurity threats arising from duplicate or spoofed International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers, which are used to cut off network access for reported stolen phones. Telecom Minister Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia emphasized that the app is a step to protect consumers, enabling them to register a lost phone immediately and prevent its fraudulent use.
However, the mandatory and non-deletable nature of the app has raised concerns among privacy advocates. Mishi Choudhary, a technology lawyer working on internet advocacy issues, stated that the mandate effectively removes meaningful user consent. Requiring pre-installation of an undeletable app is a direct intervention in device software architecture.
The move is likely to "antagonise Apple and privacy advocates". Apple, known for its stringent control over iOS, may resist the mandate, as it has historically opposed similar requirements in other markets, citing concerns over ecosystem integrity. The company has previously removed apps from its App Store in response to government requests.
India, one of the world's largest telephone markets with over 1.2 billion subscribers, is joining other authorities worldwide in framing rules to combat cybercrime and promote state-backed government service apps. A similar requirement by Russia in August mandated the pre-installation of a state-backed messenger app.
