Govt Orders Mandatory Pre-Installed Cyber Safety App On All New Phones

New Delhi: In a sweeping cybersecurity move, the telecom ministry has ordered all smartphone manufacturers to pre-install the government’s Sanchar Saathi app on new devices sold in India, with no option for users to delete or disable it, Reuters reported. The directive aims to curb cyber fraud, phone theft and misuse of fake or cloned IMEI numbers across India’s 1.2 billion mobile subscribers.

The app, already widely used, enables users to verify IMEI numbers, block stolen devices and report suspicious calls or messages through a centralised system. Officials said Sanchar Saathi has helped recover over 7 lakh stolen phones since January, including 50,000 in October alone, and facilitated blocking of 3.7 million stolen devices and termination of more than 3 crore fraudulent mobile connections.

The ministry issued the order on November 28, giving companies 90 days to comply. However, the mandate is likely to face resistance, particularly from Apple, which does not allow pre-installation of external government or third-party apps. Apple may propose a compromise, such as prompting users to voluntarily install the app instead. Other major manufacturers, including Google, Samsung and Xiaomi, have not commented yet.

Digital rights groups have raised concerns over privacy and loss of user control, but the ministry has not responded. The government maintains that stricter device traceability is essential amid rising cybercrime and growing use of fake IMEI numbers by scam networks.

While the move could help users block stolen phones and monitor suspicious activity more easily, it also restricts app flexibility. Smartphone makers now face technical and policy challenges, especially with the short implementation window.