India Makes Cyber Safety App Mandatory on All Smartphones

India’s government has ordered smartphone makers to preload its state-owned cyber safety app, Sanchar Saathi, on all new devices within 90 days, and users will not be able to delete it.

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What’s Happening

• The Telecom Ministry issued an order on November 28, 2025 requiring smartphone makers (Apple, Samsung, Vivo, Oppo, Xiaomi, etc.) to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app on all new phones.
• Users cannot disable or delete the app, making it a permanent fixture on devices.
• For phones already in the supply chain, manufacturers must push the app via software updates.

 Purpose of the App

• Sanchar Saathi, launched in January 2025, is designed to combat cyber fraud and phone theft.
• Government data shows it has already helped recover more than 700,000 lost phones, including 50,000 in October alone.
• It also addresses telecom cyber security risks, such as duplicate or spoofed IMEI numbers.

Why It’s Controversial

• Privacy concerns: Since the app cannot be deleted, critics argue this undermines user choice and raises surveillance fears.
• Apple’s resistance: Apple has previously clashed with Indian regulators over mandatory government apps (like the anti-spam app). This new directive is expected to spark another tussle.
• Global implications: India is the world’s second-largest smartphone market with over 1.2 billion subscribers, so this mandate affects nearly every major phone manufacturer.

 Broader Context

• India’s move reflects a global trend of governments tightening control over digital infrastructure to combat fraud and enhance cyber safety.
• However, balancing security with privacy remains a major challenge. Similar debates have occurred in the EU and US around mandatory apps or backdoors in devices.

Key Takeaways

• Deadline: Smartphone makers have 90 days to comply.
• Non-removable: The app will be permanent on devices.
• Impact: Likely to trigger pushback from Apple and privacy advocates, but welcomed by those concerned about rising cyber fraud.

Sanchar Saathi works by giving users direct tools to report fraud and recover stolen phones, while the legal mandate forces smartphone makers to preload it permanently, raising privacy and compliance challenges.

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🔧 How Sanchar Saathi Works Under the Hood

• Fraud Detection Features
  • The app lets users report suspicious calls and SMS directly from their call/SMS logs in just a few taps.
  • It integrates with the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) database to flag numbers linked to scams, spoofing, or misuse of telecom resources.
  • Supports English, Hindi, and 21 regional languages, ensuring accessibility across India’s diverse user base.
• Phone Recovery Process
  • Users can register their device’s IMEI number on the Sanchar Saathi portal.
  • If a phone is lost or stolen, the app helps block the IMEI, making the device unusable on Indian networks.
  • Once recovered, the IMEI can be unblocked, restoring normal use.
  • Government data shows the app has already helped recover over 700,000 lost phones, including 50,000 in October 2025 alone.
• Citizen Empowerment
  • The app is designed as a Jan Bhagidari (citizen participation) tool, encouraging users to actively report fraud and contribute to telecom security.
  • It acts as a bridge between users and telecom authorities, reducing delays in fraud reporting and recovery.

⚖️ Legal & Regulatory Implications for Smartphone Makers

• Mandatory Preloading
  • The Telecom Ministry’s order (Nov 28, 2025) requires all smartphone makers (Apple, Samsung, Vivo, Oppo, Xiaomi, etc.) to pre-install Sanchar Saathi within 90 days.
  • For devices already in the supply chain, manufacturers must push the app via software updates.
• Non-Removable Requirement
  • The app cannot be deleted or disabled, which raises privacy and user choice concerns.
  • This is expected to trigger pushback from Apple, which has previously resisted similar government mandates (like India’s anti-spam app).
• Compliance Burden
  • Smartphone makers must adapt their software build processes to include the app permanently.
  • This could complicate global compliance strategies, as India’s rules diverge from norms in other major markets.
• Market Impact
  • India is the world’s second-largest smartphone market with 1.2 billion subscribers, so compliance is unavoidable for global brands.
  • The move reflects India’s broader push to tighten control over digital infrastructure, balancing cyber safety with potential surveillance risks.

🚨 Key Takeaway

• Sanchar Saathi empowers users to fight fraud and recover stolen phones, but the mandatory, non-removable installation raises significant privacy, compliance, and global trade concerns.
• For smartphone makers, this is not just a technical requirement—it’s a regulatory test case that could reshape how governments worldwide enforce digital safety mandates.

Comparative mandates for government or safety apps across regions

Region	Mandate type	Removability	Scope of requirement	Notable tensions
India	Preload state-owned cyber safety app (Sanchar Saathi) on all new smartphones within 90 days	Non-removable for users	Applies to all major OEMs; updates pushed to existing devices in supply chain	Likely clash with Apple; strong privacy pushback; framed as anti-fraud and IMEI control
EU	No EU-wide mandate to preload a government app; relies on telecom/data protection rules	N/A	Security standards via GDPR/ePrivacy; device-level mandates uncommon	Tension around privacy-by-design and app store gatekeeping, but no forced preload norm
US	No federal mandate to preload a government safety app on consumer devices	N/A	Sectoral laws; carriers/apps handle spam and fraud; device backdoors opposed	Long-standing resistance to mandated backdoors or compulsory apps on privacy grounds
China	Government-linked safety/control apps may be required in specific contexts (work, education, local policies)	Often non-optional within those contexts	Strong platform compliance with state directives; app store governance aligned	Lower friction due to centralized policy; broader content and data control expectations
Global OEMs	Compliance with local requirements per market build	Varies by market	Separate ROMs/policies per region; risk of fragmentation	Balancing privacy, brand policies (e.g., Apple), and regulatory divergence

India’s directive in context

• India’s telecom ministry ordered smartphone makers to preload the state-owned Sanchar Saathi app on all new devices within 90 days.
• The app must be non-deletable and delivered via updates for devices already in the supply chain.
• Government figures cite more than 700,000 devices recovered and 50,000 in October alone.
• Major OEMs including Apple, Samsung, Vivo, Oppo, and Xiaomi are covered, with expected friction from Apple.

Key differences with the EU and US

• EU and US rely on regulatory frameworks (GDPR/ePrivacy in the EU; sectoral laws in the US) rather than mandating a government app.
• Both regions emphasize privacy safeguards and oppose device-level backdoors.
• No precedent for non-removable state apps on consumer phones, unlike India’s compulsory preload.

China’s model and compliance dynamics

• China features stronger alignment between platforms and state directives.
• Government-linked apps are commonly required across specific sectors or contexts.
• Tighter app store governance makes compliance smoother compared to India’s contested rollout.

Practical OEM implications

• Build variants: Maintain India-specific ROMs or configuration profiles to include a non-removable system app.
• Policy alignment: Anticipate Apple’s scrutiny on non-removable government apps; plan for negotiations or OS-level allowances.
• User trust: Transparent disclosures and on-device privacy notices can reduce backlash while meeting the mandate.
• Support ops: Train support channels for IMEI blocking/unblocking workflows and fraud reporting flows tied to Sanchar Saathi.