New Delhi: In a sweeping bid to fortify digital defences against surging cyber threats, the Indian government has issued a landmark directive: every new smartphone hitting the market must come pre-loaded with the ‘Sanchar Saathi’ app – and users won’t have the option to uninstall or disable it.
The Telecom Ministry’s order, shared confidentially with industry heavyweights, grants mobile manufacturers a 90-day window to comply. Brands like Apple, Samsung, Vivo, Oppo, and Xiaomi – which dominate India’s bustling gadget scene – must integrate the app into their new devices and push it via software updates to existing ones.
Expect an automatic rollout soon for phones already in warehouses, ensuring that no device escapes the system.
The move targets the shadowy menace of fake IMEI numbers, cloned connections, and online scams that have plagued users. “This is about reclaiming control from fraudsters,” a ministry official noted, highlighting the app’s role in reporting dodgy calls, verifying IMEI authenticity, and blacklisting lost or stolen handsets. Since its launch, Sanchar Saathi has notched impressive wins: over 50 lakh downloads, 37 lakh blocked devices, and disconnection of more than three crore bogus SIMs.
Yet, ripples of unease are spreading. Privacy advocates worry about potential data overreach, though officials insist the app focuses solely on security without prying into personal lives. Apple, true to its ironclad policy against mandatory third-party installs, has voiced strong reservations, igniting a potential showdown between Silicon Valley and New Delhi.
As India races towards a billion-plus smartphone users, this edict could redefine device security – turning every phone into a vigilant ally against the digital dark side. Will it empower or encroach? Only time, and perhaps a few heated boardroom battles, will tell.