New Delhi: In a significant move aimed at strengthening mobile security and safeguarding citizens from telecom fraud, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has mandated the pre-installation of the Sanchar Saathi app on all new mobile handsets manufactured or imported for sale in India. The directive, issued on Monday, applies to all original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) as well as importers, underscoring the government’s emphasis on protecting users from digital and telecom-related threats.

Under the government order, manufacturers are required to ensure that the Sanchar Saathi app is readily visible and accessible to users at the time of first use or during device setup. The functionalities of the app must not be disabled, restricted, or hidden, ensuring that users can immediately access its features for reporting fraud, checking mobile connections, and other security-related services.

Origins and Purpose of Sanchar Saathi

The Sanchar Saathi platform was launched in May 2023 as a web portal and mobile application with the aim of helping citizens track and manage mobile-related security concerns. Its primary purpose is to provide users with a one-stop platform for reporting lost or stolen mobile phones, suspicious web links, and fraudulent activities related to telecom services.

One of the core functionalities of the app is to allow users to report and block mobile phones that are lost or stolen. Traditionally, such reporting involved visiting a website or filing complaints that required users to remember their IMEI numbers, a process that could be cumbersome and time-consuming. With Sanchar Saathi, this process has been simplified, and users can report fraud without the need to recall complex device details.

In addition to fraud reporting, the app enables users to check the number of mobile connections registered in their name, thereby helping prevent identity theft and misuse of telecom services. It also provides verified contact information of banks and financial institutions, making it easier for users to report suspicious calls, messages, or phishing attempts.

According to a DoT official, the app’s design is “advanced enough” to facilitate faster reporting and resolution of telecom-related issues. Users can also report international calls originating from Indian numbers, a feature that is particularly useful in identifying potential scams. Unlike other platforms, the Sanchar Saathi app does not require OTP verification on the device, which makes reporting more accessible even if the phone has been lost or compromised.

Impact and Reach of the App

Since its launch, the Sanchar Saathi app has achieved notable milestones in terms of adoption and effectiveness. According to the official website, the platform has:

• Helped block over 42.14 lakh mobile devices.
• Successfully traced more than 26.11 lakh lost or stolen mobile handsets.
• Processed over 288 lakh requests from users seeking information about mobile connections registered in their name, resolving more than 254 lakh requests.
• Garnered more than 1.14 crore registrations, with over 1 crore downloads from the Google Play Store and more than 9.5 lakh downloads from the Apple Store.

These figures reflect the growing reliance on the app as a critical tool for mobile security and fraud prevention. It also demonstrates the government’s commitment to promoting technology-driven solutions to address consumer protection issues in the telecom sector.

Government Directive to OEMs and Importers

The DoT’s latest directive requires all OEMs, including Apple, Oppo, Vivo, Xiaomi, and Samsung, to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app on new devices. For devices that have already been manufactured and are available in sales channels, manufacturers and importers have been asked to push the app via software updates, ensuring that even existing users can benefit from the app’s features.

Manufacturers have been given 90 days to comply with the pre-installation requirement, and a compliance report must be submitted within 120 days. The move is designed to make the app a default security feature on smartphones, rather than an optional tool that users must download themselves. By doing so, the government aims to increase the effectiveness of the Sanchar Saathi initiative and ensure that users are protected against telecom fraud from the moment they start using a new device.

Objectives of Pre-Installation

The DoT has emphasized that the pre-installation of the Sanchar Saathi app is intended to:

1. Safeguard citizens from non-genuine handsets: Many fraudulent and counterfeit devices lack proper registration and verification, making users vulnerable to scams and security breaches. The app helps verify whether a device is genuine.
2. Enable easy reporting of suspected misuse of telecom resources: Users can report fraudulent calls, messages, and lost or stolen devices quickly and efficiently.
3. Increase the overall effectiveness of the Sanchar Saathi initiative: By making the app a default feature, the government aims to create widespread awareness and adoption of the platform.

The DoT’s approach aligns with broader efforts to digitally empower users, ensure the integrity of telecom services, and curb cybercrime and fraud. The government’s insistence on pre-installation highlights its commitment to proactive citizen protection rather than reactive measures after fraud has occurred.

Benefits for Citizens

For smartphone users, the Sanchar Saathi app offers several practical advantages:

• Fraud Reporting Made Easy: Users no longer need to remember their IMEI numbers or navigate complex websites to report lost devices.
• Verification of Mobile Connections: Users can check all mobile connections registered under their name, helping prevent identity misuse.
• Reporting Malicious Links: The app allows users to flag suspicious websites and messages, protecting them from phishing attacks.
• Assistance in Tracking Lost Devices: With millions of phones already blocked or traced through the app, it provides a valuable tool for users to recover lost or stolen devices.
• Access to Verified Bank and Financial Institution Contacts: Users can report suspicious calls and messages efficiently using the app.

Overall, the app acts as a comprehensive safeguard for citizens in an increasingly digital and mobile-first world.

Looking Ahead

The DoT’s mandate for pre-installation represents a shift toward institutionalizing mobile security measures at the national level. By embedding the Sanchar Saathi app into smartphones at the factory stage, the government ensures that all users, regardless of tech savviness, have access to essential security tools.

Experts note that such measures are timely given the growing number of mobile scams, identity thefts, and fraudulent activities targeting smartphone users. With over a billion mobile users in India, initiatives like Sanchar Saathi could significantly reduce the scale of telecom fraud and create a more secure mobile ecosystem.

Conclusion

The government’s decision to mandate the pre-installation of the Sanchar Saathi app on all new smartphones is a landmark step toward enhancing consumer protection in the telecom sector. By simplifying the reporting of lost or stolen devices, enabling verification of mobile connections, and providing tools to combat fraud, the app is set to become an essential feature for Indian users.

With OEMs required to comply within a set timeframe and software updates extending coverage to existing devices, the initiative ensures that millions of citizens are empowered to safeguard their mobile devices and personal information. As India continues to advance in digital connectivity, measures like Sanchar Saathi will play a pivotal role in ensuring the security, authenticity, and reliability of mobile communications across the country.