India’s Communications Ministry has instructed manufacturers and importers to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app on all new mobile phones sold domestically, aiming to prevent the purchase of non-genuine devices and enhance cybersecurity. Officials said the app will also help curb misuse of telecom resources for cyber fraud.
While opposition lawmakers called the directive “unconstitutional” and a tool for surveillance, Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia clarified, “This is a matter of customer protection. There is nothing mandatory. If you do not want to register it, don’t. It will stay dormant. And if you want to delete it, delete it. But not every person in the country knows that there is an app to protect him/her from fraud. So, it is our responsibility to spread the information.” Manufacturers are also encouraged to push the app to existing devices through software updates.