India’s telecom ecosystem is undergoing a significant shift as the government moves to strengthen digital security and curb rising cyber fraud. A recent order has directed smartphone manufacturers to preload all new mobile devices with the state-owned Sanchar Saathi app, a platform designed to verify IMEIs, block stolen phones, and prevent telecom misuse. This move signals a renewed push toward safeguarding users and enhancing accountability across digital networks.
The decision comes at a time when cybercrime is evolving rapidly, with duplicate and spoofed IMEI numbers enabling large-scale fraud, identity theft, and network exploitation. By making Sanchar Saathi mandatory, the government aims to close security loopholes that allow criminals to operate stolen or illegally obtained devices. However, tech giants — especially companies known for rigid device policies — may find themselves at odds with the directive.
While the order is intended to improve digital safety for millions of users, it also raises questions about device autonomy, privacy, and compliance within global smartphone ecosystems. The coming months will reveal how technology manufacturers respond to this push for mandatory pre-installation and whether the move reshapes India’s digital security landscape moving forward.
Government Mandate and Compliance Requirements
The telecom ministry’s order, issued on November 28, directs smartphone makers to ensure that the Sanchar Saathi app is preloaded on all upcoming mobile devices. Companies have been given 90 days to comply. The directive emphasizes national cyber safety, particularly the threats posed by duplicate and spoofed IMEI numbers, which have become key vectors for telecom-based scams and fraud.
For devices already manufactured or in transit through the supply chain, the order requires companies to push the app through software updates. Importantly, users must not be able to disable or uninstall the app, ensuring that the tool remains functional across all devices.
The order has been circulated privately among smartphone brands, sparking discussions across the tech ecosystem regarding feasibility, compliance logistics, and alignment with existing device security policies. The move marks one of the strongest government interventions in India’s smartphone software ecosystem in recent years.
Reported Concerns from Smartphone Manufacturers
Industry insiders have expressed unease over the lack of consultation prior to the mandate. According to two anonymous sources, smartphone makers are concerned about long-term implications for user autonomy, device performance, and operating system integrity. The absence of stakeholder discussions before issuing the order has further heightened tensions across the technology sector.
Apple is believed to be the most impacted brand, as the company typically prohibits pre-installation of third-party or government apps before a device is sold. Its closed ecosystem and tightly regulated App Store policies have historically resisted external mandates.
Other major players such as Samsung and Xiaomi have yet to publicly comment. However, the broader industry sentiment suggests apprehension regarding regulatory overreach and potential conflicts with international device standards.
Why Sanchar Saathi Is Being Made Mandatory
The government’s directive highlights “serious endangerment” to telecom cyber security caused by the widespread misuse of fake or duplicated IMEI numbers. IMEI, a 14- to 17-digit unique identifier, is critical in tracking and blocking devices used for illegal activities.
Duplicate IMEIs enable criminals to bypass network filters, resell stolen devices, and exploit mobile connections without detection. By integrating Sanchar Saathi across all devices, the government aims to centralize verification and strengthen nationwide digital identification.
The app allows users to:
- Verify the IMEI number of their device
- Report stolen or lost phones
- Block devices from accessing any mobile network
- Check mobile connections linked to their ID
- Report suspicious calls or fraud attempts
Impact and Achievements of Sanchar Saathi
Launched in January, the Sanchar Saathi app has rapidly become a core cyber security tool for both users and law enforcement. Government data highlights its significant accomplishments:
- 700,000+ lost phones recovered since launch
- 50,000 devices recovered in October alone
- Over 3.7 million stolen or lost phones blocked through the database
- 30+ million fraudulent mobile connections terminated
The platform’s centralized reporting and verification system has reduced black market circulation of stolen phones and curbed telecom misuse at scale. By tracking suspicious activity and enabling real-time blocking, the app supports investigative agencies and bolsters national security efforts.
These achievements have strengthened the government’s argument that nationwide availability of the app is essential to curb rising cybercrime risks and enhance public safety.
Strengthening Citizen Protection and Accountability
The Department of Telecom has also underlined personal responsibility in combating cybercrime. In a separate order issued on November 24, it noted that mobile subscribers may be held liable if a SIM card registered in their name is misused for fraud or illegal activities.
This approach pressures individuals to monitor devices and SIMs linked to their identity, making digital awareness a key element of national security. Sanchar Saathi supports this effort by providing tools that let users check linked numbers, verify suspicious activity, and disable unauthorized connections.
Authorities argue that widespread adoption of the app could make it easier for citizens to detect fraudulent activity early and prevent large-scale infiltration of counterfeit or illegally activated devices into the telecom network.
Potential Clash with International Tech Giants
The mandate could set the stage for a high-profile conflict with companies like Apple, which maintain strict policies around software pre-installation. Apple preloads only its proprietary apps and does not permit installation of outside apps — including government-issued ones — before sale.
Such differences may lead to negotiations or compliance challenges, especially for brands that operate globally and must adhere to uniform software policies across markets. The Indian government’s strong push for the app reflects its prioritization of cyber safety over corporate flexibility.
Tech analysts suggest that concessions or technical adaptations may be required, either through system-level integration or alternate compliance methods for certain manufacturers.
Future of Cyber Safety in India's Telecom Sector
The Sanchar Saathi mandate reflects a larger trend of governments increasing oversight over tech ecosystems to counter digital threats. With cyber fraud and mobile misuse rising steadily, India’s telecom sector is moving toward stricter verification and security frameworks.
Over time, the pre-installation requirement could pave the way for deeper integration of government-issued digital safety tools into smartphones. It may also reshape discussions around user privacy, consent, and device freedom as regulatory forces begin to intersect more directly with consumer technology.
As smartphone brands prepare to comply within the 90-day deadline, the coming months will reveal the balance struck between protecting citizens and respecting device autonomy. For now, Sanchar Saathi stands at the center of a major shift in India’s mobile security ecosystem, marking a new chapter in how digital safety is governed, enforced, and experienced across the country.
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About the Author:
Harshit Raj
