Published on: 02 December, 2025 12:39 IST
What began as a quietly circulated advisory to mobile companies has now been officially confirmed. After the initial leak- first reported by Reuters- the Indian government has issued a public statement through the Press Information Bureau (PIB), directing all phonemakers to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app on every mobile handset sold in India. This requirement is not limited to upcoming devices; companies have also been told to push the app to existing phones via software updates.
What Is Sanchar Saathi?
Sanchar Saathi is a Central government initiative aimed at enhancing digital safety. Available as both a mobile app and a web platform, it offers a range of citizen-focused services. One of its key features, Chakshu, allows users to report suspected cyber fraud or dubious calls and messages. According to the official website, these reports assist the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) in cracking down on misuse of telecom resources for financial frauds and cyber-crimes.
Users can also use the app to flag phishing links, malware, cloning attempts, commercial spam calls, and malicious content sent through SMS, RCS, iMessage, WhatsApp, Telegram, and other social platforms.
What Government’s Directive to Phone Manufacturers?
The DoT, under the Ministry of Communications headed by Jyotiraditya Scindia, has issued strict instructions to mobile manufacturers. All devices manufactured or imported into the country after November 28 must carry Sanchar Saathi as a pre-installed, easily accessible, and functional app. The directive emphasizes that the app’s key features must not be disabled or hidden.
For handsets already manufactured, companies must roll out the app through mandatory software updates. The government has also made it clear that any non-compliance will invite action.
Criticism
The decision has triggered strong political reactions. Congress leader K.C. Venugopal called the move “beyond unconstitutional,” arguing that forcing a government app onto personal devices violates the fundamental right to privacy guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution. He described it as “a dystopian tool” capable of monitoring the daily digital behaviour of citizens.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi echoed similar concerns, labelling the initiative as “another BIG BOSS surveillance moment.” She warned that if the government prioritises surveillance tools over proper grievance redressal mechanisms, it should be prepared for public resistance.
Despite the controversy, the government highlights Sanchar Saathi’s achievements:
- 42 lakh stolen phones blocked,
- 7 lakh devices traced and recovered,
- Over 1 crore downloads on Android, and
- Nearly 10 lakh installs on iOS.
Why This Move Raises Crucial Privacy Concerns for Citizens?
While Sanchar Saathi may serve legitimate safety objectives, the compulsory installation of a government-controlled app—especially one that users cannot decline, disable, or uninstall—raises significant concerns about digital privacy in India. Any application with system-level permissions carries the inherent possibility of accessing sensitive data, and even if its current features appear harmless, enforcing its installation establishes a troubling precedent for the potential expansion of surveillance capabilities in the future. This mandate also eliminates informed consent, as citizens have no say in whether the app is installed or delivered through updates, undermining the basic principle that data processing should be consensual.
The decision was introduced without public consultation or a transparent legal framework outlining safeguards, data retention policies, or independent oversight mechanisms, further deepening anxieties.
A centralized platform containing sensitive user information is also more vulnerable to hacking or misuse, especially in the absence of clearly articulated encryption standards and auditing processes. Beyond these technical risks, the direction represents an erosion of digital autonomy; personal devices are integral to individual privacy, and compulsory government software blurs the boundary between public safety measures and intrusive monitoring.
In a country where the Supreme Court has upheld privacy as a fundamental right, these issues are not theoretical—they cut to the heart of constitutional liberties and the relationship between the citizen and the State.