Telecom Minister
Jyotiraditya Scindia has issued a clarification on the Sanchar Saathi app. The minister said that the cybersecurity app is not mandatory for users. "The app is completely optional. If you want to delete it, you can. If you don't wish to register, you shouldn’t register and can remove it anytime," Scindia told reporters outside the Parliament. The telecom minister added that the app does not enable snooping or call monitoring. "But not everyone in the country knows that this app exists to protect them from fraud and theft," Scindia said.
"It is our responsibility to make this app reach everyone. If you want to delete it, then delete it. If you don't want to use it, then don't register it. If you register it, then it will remain active. If you don't register it, then it will remain inactive. For instance, if you don't want to use the app, don't register for it, it will stay dormant, and delete it if you want to," Scindia explained. He added that the government's responsibility is to make the app available to everyone, as many citizens are unaware of this tool designed to protect them from digital frauds and theft.
Scindia's clarification comes after a Reuters report claimed that the government, in an order dated November 28, has given major smartphone companies 90 days to ensure that the government's Sanchar Saathi app is pre-installed on new mobile phones, with a provision that users cannot disable it. The report added that the order further says that for devices already in the supply chain, manufacturers should push the app to phones via software updates.
Reuters report claimed that the telecom ministry privately asked smartphone makers to preload all new devices with a state-owned cyber security app that cannot be deleted. The Reuters report said that it has seen the government order.
According to the Union government, the Sanchar Saathi app helps prevent cyber threats and assists tracking and blocking of lost or stolen phones, helping police to trace devices, while keeping counterfeits out of the black market.
Telecom ministry's Sanchar Saathi mobile app order sparks surveillance concerns
The order caused a furore both inside and outside Parliament on Tuesday, with a number of lawmakers accusing the government of introducing an app that would act as a snooping tool. Rahul Gandhi of main opposition Congress Party said he planned to speak about the app in Parliament. The Congress Party has called for a rollback of the mandate. On X (formerly Twitter), KC Venugopal, a top Congress leader, said "Big Brother cannot watch us."
Apple likely to say 'No', other companies reviewing order
According to a Reuters report, Apple does not plan to comply with a mandate to preload its smartphones with a state-owned cyber safety app and will convey its concerns to the ministry. Apple does not plan to comply with the directive and will tell the government it does not follow such mandates anywhere in the world as they raise a host of privacy and security issues for the company's iOS ecosystem, said two of the industry sources who are familiar with Apple's concerns. They declined to be named publicly as the company's strategy is private. "Its not only like taking a sledgehammer, this is like a double-barrel gun," said the first source.
Other brands including Samsung are reviewing the order, said a fourth industry source who is familiar with the matter. Samsung did not respond to Reuters queries.
What is Sanchar Saathi app
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) introduced the Sanchar Saathi mobile app in January 2025. According to telecom department, the app complements the existing Sanchar Saathi portal by providing convenient, on-the-go protection against identity theft, forged KYC, device theft, banking fraud, and other cyber risks. As per DoT, Sanchar Saathi app is mainly designed to help users block and track lost or stolen smartphones across all telecom networks, using a central registry. It also lets them identify, and disconnect, fraudulent mobile connections.
One of the world's largest telephone markets, India has more than 1.2 billion subscribers. As per government figures, the app has helped recover more than 700,000 lost phones, including 50,000 in October alone. With more than 5 million downloads since its launch, the app has helped block more than 3.7 million stolen or lost mobile phones, while more than 30 million fraudulent connections have also been terminated.
The app is available in Hindi and 21 other regional languages, making it inclusive and accessible across the country.
Industry SpeakAmit Relan, CEO and Co-founder of mFilterIt, said, "Initiatives like Sanchar Saathi are a welcome step toward strengthening digital safety and protecting citizens from rising fraud and misuse. Embedding such capabilities at the device level can significantly enhance early detection, faster response, and broader coverage—benefits that are often difficult to achieve through voluntary adoption alone. With clear communication and well-designed safeguards, device-level integration can empower users, reduce victimisation, and create a more secure digital ecosystem for the country. When implemented responsibly, this approach can deliver substantial public-interest value and improve overall digital trust."