By Erick Because it’s not mandatory anymore.
Earlier this week the Government announced that phones sold in India will need to have this app pre-installed, and a few days after that the Government withdrew the mandate.
The reason they withdrew the mandate, according to the Government, is that many people “voluntarily” downloaded the app.
I don’t know man, the average human I know wants less apps on their phones.
But, first of all, the directive made for some great memes.
Here’s a short story about the app. Disclosure: I used AI to generate this because quite frankly it’s too boring.
Sanchar Saathi is a government telecom-safety app designed to help mobile users in India protect themselves from fraud, scams, and phone theft. It began as a voluntary portal and app from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). Later, it became controversial when the government asked smartphone makers to pre-install it on all new phones, and eventually withdrew this mandate after public and industry backlash.
What the app is
Sanchar Saathi is available both as a website and a mobile app. It allows users to:
- See how many mobile connections are issued in their name and disconnect suspicious ones.
- Block or trace lost and stolen phones using the device IMEI.
- Report fraud calls, SMS, and WhatsApp messages through a feature often referred to as a cyber-fraud reporting module (such as “Chakshu”).
Why it was created
The main goal of Sanchar Saathi is to reduce SIM and identity fraud, phishing, and call-centre scams in a country with over a billion mobile connections. It also helps users quickly block or recover stolen devices, which is a common issue. The platform lets authorities spot patterns in fraud reports and take action against fake or misused mobile connections in bulk.
The recent controversy
In 2025, the government instructed smartphone manufacturers to ship all new phones with Sanchar Saathi pre-installed and active during initial setup, with limited ability for users to remove or restrict it. This move led to strong criticism from privacy advocates, opposition leaders, and parts of the tech industry. Concerns focused on potential surveillance, data collection, and the lack of clear legal safeguards and transparency.
Government’s stance and rollback
The government defended Sanchar Saathi as a citizen-safety tool meant to encourage public participation in the fight against cyber fraud, insisting that it does not secretly collect personal data. However, as criticism grew, officials reversed the order that made pre-installation mandatory. The app is now positioned again as an optional but strongly encouraged security tool, with the government highlighting its role in blocking fraudulent connections and enabling users to safeguard their mobile identities.
The short story in one line
In one line: Sanchar Saathi is a DoT-backed safety app to combat mobile fraud and theft, which turned into a political flashpoint when the government tried to force it onto every new smartphone, and now continues as an optional but heavily promoted security platform in India.
No, I haven’t installed this app. I take my own cyber security measures.