Govt mandates Sanchar Saathi pre-install on smartphones in 90 days
Govt mandates Sanchar Saathi pre-install on smartphones in 90 days
India's DoT orders OEMs to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app on all new smartphones within 90 days to streamline fraud reporting and device tracking.
The Department of Telecommunications has issued a directive mandating the pre-installation of the Sanchar Saathi app on all new mobile handsets manufactured or imported for sale in India. The app must be clearly visible at first use and its functionalities cannot be disabled, with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) like Apple, Oppo, Vivo, Xiaomi and Samsung given 90 days to comply. The move is part of a broader push to strengthen cyber security and simplify fraud reporting for mobile users.
Sanchar Saathi, the portal launched in May 2023, already allows users to report and block lost or stolen phones, check how many mobile connections are listed in a name, verify whether a handset is genuine, and report suspicious or spam communications. Unlike the earlier website-only process, the app is designed to be readily accessible at setup, minimizing the burden on users and reducing the need to remember device identifiers.
Officials emphasize that the app provides a range of services beyond theft protection, including checking connections in a user’s name and reporting international calls with Indian numbers. DoT notes that the app does not require OTP verification on the phone, aiming for a smooth user experience while enhancing security.
Since its inception, the Sanchar Saathi initiative has blocked more than 42.14 lakh mobiles and traced over 26.11 lakh lost or stolen handsets. It has generated around 288 lakh requests for information about mobile connections registered in users’ names, with more than 254 lakh of those requests resolved. The platform has recorded over 1.14 crore interactions, indicating growing adoption and utility among Indian smartphone users.
The 90-day compliance window underscores the government’s ongoing efforts to curb cyber threats and fraud in India’s booming smartphone market, while ensuring that security tools are readily accessible to consumers.
Cover image source: Govt directs companies to pre-install ‘Sanchar Saathi’ app for mobile phone, data security 🔗
