DoT Mandates Pre-installation of Sanchar Saathi App to Enhance Digital Security and Trust
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure | SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Institutions: Department of Telecommunications (DoT) | Ministry of Communications
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has issued a directive requiring all manufacturers and importers of mobile devices, including smartphones and tablets, to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi App on every device sold in India, effective from January 1, 2026. The objective is to make the application immediately accessible to every user, significantly enhancing digital security, combating mobile device fraud, and building a more trusted digital ecosystem.
The Sanchar Saathi App is a citizen-centric platform providing various services focused on combating telecom fraud and misuse. Its core functions enable users to:
Track/Block Lost or Stolen Mobile Phones via the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) module.
Know Your Connections (KYC): View mobile connections registered in their name and report unwanted or unauthorized connections.
Validate Device Authenticity: Check the genuine nature of devices before purchase.
Report Fraudulent Activity: Serve as a single platform for reporting various types of telecom fraud.
The directive stipulates that the app must be pre-installed on the default home screen or a clearly visible application folder. Compliance is mandatory for all devices, regardless of operating system (OS) or price segment.
Policy Relevance
The mandatory pre-installation of the Sanchar Saathi App marks a major institutional move by the DoT to ensure security by default for Indiaβs massive mobile subscriber base. On the other hand, a mandatory pre-installation of a government security app may raise concerns around privacy, device integrity, and user rights. Such a requirement can trigger worries about potential surveillance, possible functionality creep, or uncertainties around the data that the DoT or associated agencies might access. It could also place a compliance burden on manufacturers, who must ensure the app remains non-removable and stable across diverse devices, with possible performance impacts on storage, battery life, or system behaviour. From a user perspective, compulsory installation may affect perceptions of digital autonomy.
What is the Sanchar Saathi App?β The Sanchar Saathi App is an initiative of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), designed as a citizen-centric portal to empower mobile phone users with tools for self-protection against fraud and digital misuse. It is integral to the governmentβs efforts to improve transparency and security in the telecom sector by allowing users to manage their connections, check device authenticity, and report lost or stolen phones.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders: What specific audit and penalty framework will the DoT implement to monitor and ensure 100% compliance among global and domestic mobile manufacturers and importers by the January 1, 2026, deadline?
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