India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has issued a sweeping directive that will fundamentally change the smartphone experience for millions of users across the country.
On November 28, 2025, the government ordered all smartphone manufacturers to pre-install a mandatory security application called “Sanchar Saathi” on every new device sold in India within 90 days.
The most controversial aspect of this mandate is that the app cannot be uninstalled or deleted by users, even if they choose to do so.
This requirement applies to all major smartphone brands operating in the Indian market, including Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi, Vivo, and Oppo.
The directive also extends to existing devices through mandatory software updates, ensuring widespread deployment across the installed base of smartphones in the country.
The Government’s Cybersecurity Initiative
Indian authorities justify this aggressive measure by citing the nation’s alarming rise in digital fraud cases.
With over 1.2 billion telecom subscribers, India faces significant challenges from criminals exploiting stolen devices and fraudsters operating under fake identities.
The government frames Sanchar Saathi as a protective “shield” designed to combat these growing threats and safeguard citizens’ digital security.
The Sanchar Saathi platform originally functioned as a web-based service but is now transitioning into a system-level application with deep integration into device architecture.
The app combines three primary security features designed to address different threat vectors in the Indian telecom ecosystem.
Chakshu serves as the primary reporting mechanism within the application. Users encountering suspicious communications including phone calls, text messages, or WhatsApp interactions can instantly report these incidents directly through the platform.
This real-time reporting infrastructure feeds into law enforcement databases, enabling rapid response to emerging scam patterns.
The Stolen Device Blocking feature connects to India’s Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR). When users report their phones as lost or stolen, the system immediately blacklists the device’s IMEI number, rendering it unable to connect to any mobile network.
This technological approach effectively neutralizes stolen devices and removes their resale value in secondary markets.
The Connection Verification Tool enables users to audit their digital footprint by displaying all mobile numbers registered under their name.
This transparency mechanism helps individuals detect fraudulent SIM card registrations made by identity thieves attempting to exploit their credentials.
Government statistics indicate that the existing Sanchar Saathi system has already facilitated the recovery of over 700,000 lost phones, demonstrating measurable impact in protecting consumer assets.
The mandate has generated significant friction within the technology sector. Apple has historically maintained strict control over pre-installed applications on iPhones to preserve user experience quality and system performance.
Other manufacturers express concerns that forced app installation could introduce performance degradation and potentially erode consumer trust in their platforms.
Privacy advocates have raised fundamental questions about an undeletable application with deep system-level access.
While the government categorically denies any surveillance intentions, critics contend that such persistent access creates architectural vulnerabilities that could theoretically enable unauthorized data collection or monitoring, regardless of stated purposes.
The government remains firm in its position that Sanchar Saathi serves exclusively consumer protection functions, with no surveillance capabilities integrated into its architecture.
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