India orders smartphones to pre-install 'Sanchar Saathi' app for cybersecurity

Guwahati: India's telecom ministry has instructed smartphone manufacturers to pre-install a government-owned cybersecurity app, Sanchar Saathi, on all new devices, according to a government order.

The app must be installed in a way that prevents users from deleting or disabling it, a requirement that may concern Apple and privacy advocates.

India, one of the world’s largest mobile markets with over 1.2 billion subscribers, has seen the app recover more than 700,000 lost phones since its launch in January, including 50,000 in October alone.

The order, dated November 28 and seen by Reuters, requires major smartphone manufacturers, including Apple, Samsung, Vivo, Oppo, and Xiaomi, to ensure the app is preloaded on all new devices within 90 days.

Devices already in circulation should receive the app through software updates, the ministry said.

The order was issued privately to selected companies and has not been made public.

The government said Sanchar Saathi is crucial for telecom cybersecurity, particularly in preventing fraud and misuse of phones using duplicate or spoofed IMEI numbers.

Each phone has a unique 14- to 17-digit IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) that can be used to block stolen or lost devices from accessing mobile networks.

While Apple preloads its own apps on iPhones, its policies typically prevent the installation of government or third-party apps before sale, according to sources.

Experts suggest Apple may consider alternatives, such as prompting users to install the app rather than making it mandatory.

Since its launch, the app has been downloaded more than 5 million times, helping to block over 3.7 million stolen or lost phones and terminate over 30 million fraudulent connections.

It also assists police in tracking devices and prevents counterfeit phones from entering the market.

Apple, Google, Samsung, Xiaomi, and India’s telecom ministry did not respond to requests for comment.