On December 1, 2025, India’s telecommunications ministry issued a directive requiring all major mobile device manufacturers to preload a government-backed cybersecurity application called Sanchar Saathi on every new phone within 90 days. This move is part of the government’s strategy to enhance national security and safeguard citizens against telecom-related cyber threats. Notably, the app cannot be deleted or disabled once installed.
Features of the Sanchar Saathi App
Sanchar Saathi, which is available on both Android and iOS platforms, serves several key functions aimed at protecting users from fraud and enhancing telecom security. Among its features are:
- Users can report suspicious activities such as fraudulent calls, spam messages, and malicious web links, including those sent through SMS or WhatsApp.
- The app allows users to block stolen handsets and track lost devices.
- Subscribers can check how many mobile connections have been registered in their name, helping to identify unauthorized use.
- A crucial feature of Sanchar Saathi is the ability to report incoming international calls that are made to appear as domestic calls. These calls are often routed through illegal telecom setups operating over the internet, potentially resulting in financial losses and cybersecurity risks.
The government highlights that reporting such calls is essential for preventing illegal telecom exchanges, which not only cause financial harm but also threaten national security.
Since its launch in May 2023, Sanchar Saathi has garnered significant traction, with the app collectively installed over 11.4 million times. The majority of installations have been in the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. To date, the app has successfully blocked over 4.2 million stolen devices, traced 2.6 million of them, and recovered approximately 723,638 devices.
The Sanchar Saathi app requests access to several services on users’ phones, including the ability to read and send SMS messages, view network connections, access photos and media files, and control vibration and storage functions. Additionally, the app can access phone status, identity, and camera to assist in reporting fraud and other telecom issues.
Government’s Stance on Security
The government’s push for preloading the app onto all new devices aims to address several cybersecurity challenges, particularly the misuse of spoofed International Mobile Equipment Identity numbers. These counterfeit IMEI numbers, when used in devices, enable fraud and illegal activity, such as the resale of stolen or blacklisted mobile phones. The Ministry of Communications emphasized that tampered IMEIs are a significant threat to telecom security, as they make it difficult to track devices and prevent illegal usage.
India’s large second-hand mobile market has also led to concerns about the circulation of blacklisted devices. In response, the Sanchar Saathi app provides a mechanism for users to verify whether a device’s IMEI has been flagged, which is essential for preventing the buying and selling of stolen goods.
The Ministry’s directive mandates that mobile manufacturers push the Sanchar Saathi app to devices already in the supply chain via software updates. The app must be easily accessible to consumers, appearing on the device’s setup screen and remaining fully functional without any restrictions. The government argues that this measure will protect consumers from purchasing counterfeit devices and ensure greater transparency in telecom operations.
Global Comparison
India’s move to mandate the pre-installation of a government app mirrors a similar policy recently implemented in Russia. Starting September 1, 2025, Russia required that all smartphones, tablets, computers, and smart TVs sold in the country come with the MAX app preinstalled. MAX is a homegrown messenger app, and like Sanchar Saathi, it has raised concerns over potential surveillance. Critics claim that MAX could be used to track users, although Russian state media have denied these accusations.
In addition to the MAX app mandate, Russian authorities have imposed partial restrictions on messaging apps like Telegram and WhatsApp, citing their use in organizing criminal activities, including fraud, terrorism, and sabotage. As of late October 2025, these apps have been restricted in approximately 40% of Russia’s regions due to concerns about their role in illegal activities.
Cybersecurity and Telecom Oversight
Both India and Russia’s actions underline a growing trend in state-led oversight of telecommunications and digital security. While the governments argue that such measures are essential for protecting citizens from fraud, cybercrime, and national security threats, critics remain concerned about privacy and potential overreach. In India, the push to preinstall Sanchar Saathi is seen as a direct response to the increasing use of spoofed IMEI numbers and other telecom-related frauds. However, the move also highlights the broader challenges of balancing national security with individual privacy and freedom.
As India’s Sanchar Saathi app continues to expand its reach and functionality, its success will likely depend on how effectively it manages privacy concerns while providing robust security features for its users. Similarly, global scrutiny of Russia’s MAX app will be a bellwether for how other countries might follow suit in mandating similar software for national security purposes.
In both cases, the question remains: how much control should governments have over the devices and apps that individuals use in the name of security? Only time will tell if these moves will be seen as effective solutions or as the beginning of a broader trend of surveillance and regulation.
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