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The Indian government has directed smartphone makers to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi cyber-safety application on all new devices sold in the country. This measure, driven by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), aims to bolster user security amid a sharp increase in digital fraud, online scams, and mobile phone theft.
The Sanchar Saathi app is a citizen-centric initiative designed to empower users to block and trace lost or stolen mobile phones, verify the authenticity of a device before purchase, and report fraudulent connections. According to official data from the government's Press Information Bureau, the platform has already proven effective, having facilitated the blocking of over 3.7 million stolen or lost devices and tracing more than 2.2 million since its launch. The mandate is a response to escalating cybercrime incidents, which surged to over 2 million in 2024, as reported by the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In).
This directive is part of a broader strategy to enhance India's digital infrastructure and national security. However, the proposal has encountered resistance from major tech companies like Google and Apple. Google, whose Android operating system powers over 90% of India's 700 million smartphones, has reportedly expressed concerns. Both companies maintain strict control over their app ecosystems, citing security and user experience as reasons for vetting all software available on their platforms. Government officials have suggested that legal or policy action could be considered to ensure compliance.
The move reflects a global trend of governments imposing stricter rules on tech giants. A notable precedent was set in Russia, where Apple agreed to allow users to install government-approved apps during the initial setup of new iPhones. India's mandate also creates an interesting dynamic with its other recent regulations, including a new law requiring that users must be able to uninstall most pre-loaded apps, or 'bloatware.' This latest directive underscores the government's focus on tightening its grip on the digital ecosystem to balance national security with the powerful influence of global technology firms.
