Why has India withdrawn its cyber safety Sanchar Saathi app?

WEB DESK: Just as India was caught in the frenzy of ’19-minute viral video’ trend, it turns out that the new Sanchar Saathi app, meaning “Communication Partner,” became a focal point of political and public debate after the government attempted to mandate its pre-installation on all new smartphones. The directive targeted major manufacturers including Apple, Samsung, and Xiaomi, raising concerns over privacy, surveillance, and user consent.

However, following pushback from Apple, Samsung, and privacy advocates, the government withdrew the mandatory pre-installation order on Wednesday. Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia assured the public that the app would not be used for surveillance.

Digital rights groups, including the Internet Freedom Foundation, welcomed the reversal but urged caution, noting that formal legal directives and revised instructions under the Cyber Security Rules, 2024 are yet to be published.

Statement

The PIB has just issued a statement at 3:00 PM on December 3, 2025 that the government will not make pre-installation of the Sanchar Saathi app mandatory for mobile manufacturers. This is a welcome development, but we are still awaiting the full text of the legal order… pic.twitter.com/VQV4t8YNfK

— Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF) (@internetfreedom) December 3, 2025

App Features and Purpose

Available on Apple’s App Store and Google Play Store, Sanchar Saathi is designed to enhance mobile security and prevent fraud. It allows users to track or block lost or stolen devices using their IMEI number, verify the authenticity of second-hand phones, check how many connections are registered under their name, and report suspected scam calls. The app requests permissions for camera, photos, call logs, and messages to ensure certain features function properly.

Government Mandate and Backlash

On November 28, the telecom ministry instructed manufacturers to preload the app on new devices, keeping it enabled and visible during setup, and to install it via software updates on existing devices, potentially reaching over 735 million users. The government defended the measure as necessary to combat IMEI tampering and telecom fraud.

However, the move sparked strong criticism. Congress MP Randeep Singh Surjewala raised concerns in the Rajya Sabha, warning that the app could monitor real-time location, messages, financial transactions, and search history. He described the pre-installation order as a breach of privacy and cautioned that a potential “kill switch” could disable phones, affecting journalists, opposition leaders, and dissidents.

Usage and Impact

Despite the controversy, Sanchar Saathi has gained traction, with over 14 million downloads, helping block more than 4.2 million lost or stolen phones and terminate 30 million fraudulent connections. The episode highlights the tension between digital security measures and the right to privacy in India.

Web Desk