Centre Withdraws Mandatory Sanchar Saathi Pre-Installation Order After Backlash

Facing strong criticism from privacy advocates, cybersecurity experts and the opposition, the Centre on Wednesday withdrew its mandate requiring smartphone makers to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app on all new devices. The Ministry of Communications said the decision was taken in light of the app’s “increasing acceptance.”

Launched in May 2023, Sanchar Saathi allows users to check mobile connections linked to their IDs, report fraud and scams, and trace lost phones. The mobile app version rolled out earlier this year as part of the government’s push to curb cybercrime.

Why the mandate was scrapped

The government’s November 28 directive required smartphone companies to ship devices with Sanchar Saathi pre-installed — and in a way that users could not remove, disable or restrict it. The mandate quickly drew intense backlash, with critics calling it a violation of citizens’ fundamental right to privacy.

Despite the government’s official claim that the mandate was withdrawn due to the app’s “popularity,” sources told HT that the real reason was mounting pressure from within the industry.

According to people familiar with the matter, the Department of Telecommunications was under “too much pressure” to reverse the order. One source noted that once the government conceded that users could delete the app, “anyone intending to commit fraud would simply remove it.” Officials also reportedly failed to anticipate the scale of public pushback — similar to the backlash that followed the AI advisory in March 2024.

Sources further said the Centre had quietly consulted legal firms while drafting the mandate and was advised that such a directive might not survive constitutional scrutiny. Reuters also reported that tech giants Apple and Samsung had refused to comply with the pre-installation requirement.

Government defends the app

Amid the uproar, the government insisted the Sanchar Saathi app is safe and optional, clarifying that users may delete it if they choose. However, new concerns emerged, including allegations that the app could function as a government “snooping tool.”

Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia rejected those claims in the Lok Sabha, saying the app does not access personal data and cannot be used for surveillance.

“Snooping is neither possible nor will happen with the Sanchar Saathi app,” Scindia told Parliament during Question Hour.