India Orders Pre-Installation of Sanchar Saathi App; Opposition Calls It a Privacy Threat

New Delhi: The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has taken a big step to strengthen mobile security in the country and curb the sale of fake or stolen phones. According to the instructions issued on Monday, it will now be necessary to have the Sanchar Saathi app pre-installed in every mobile phone manufactured or imported in India.

When will the app become mandatory in phones?

As per the order issued by DoT on 28 November 2025:

• The app should appear clean on the initial setup screen of the new phone.
• Phone companies cannot hide or disable or limit the app.
• The companies have been given 90 days to comply with the order.
• They will have to submit a compliance report within 120 days.
• This app will be added to the phones that are already in the market through a software update.

What does a communication partner do?

This app is designed to prevent cyber fraud and strengthen mobile security. Users can:

• By entering the IMEI of any phone, you can find out whether it is genuine or not.
• You can file a complaint about fake calls or messages.
• Can report a stolen or lost phone.
• You can see all the mobile connections issued in your name.
• You can find reliable contact numbers of banks and other institutions.
• Sanchar-Saathi is backed by Telecom Cyber ​​Security (TCS) Rules, under which the government can issue instructions to mobile companies regarding IMEI compliance.

Why was this needed?

DoT says that fake or changed IMEI numbers are a serious security threat. In many cases multiple devices with the same IMEI have been detected. Additionally, incidents of sale of stolen or blacklisted phones in the used mobile market have increased, leading to unknowing buyers getting into legal trouble. With the Sanchar-Saathi app, buyers can check whether the IMEI is blocked or blacklisted before purchasing the phone.

IMEI tampering is a non-bailable offense under the Telecom Act of 2023, which

• Jail up to three years,
• Fine up to Rs 50 lakh
• Or it could be both.

These rules will apply to all major companies, including Apple, Samsung, Google, Vivo, Oppo, and Xiaomi.

The opposition strongly criticized the decision

Congress has demanded immediate withdrawal of the order making the Sanchar-Sathi app mandatory, calling it unconstitutional. Congress General Secretary K.C. Venugopal said that this is a violation of people's right to privacy, which is part of Article 21 of the Constitution. In his words, "This order of the government shows a Big Brother mentality. An app that cannot be removed will become a means of surveillance of every Indian."

He described it as a “series of sustained attacks” on civil rights. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aditya Thackeray also called the move a “step towards dictatorship” and criticized it on social media. Amidst the government's silence and increasing opposition, this order is giving rise to a new debate on mobile and digital privacy.