In a significant move aimed at curbing digital fraud and strengthening telecom security, the central government has directed that all mobile phones manufactured in India or imported for use in the country must come with the Sanchar Saathi app pre-installed. The directive, issued by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), mandates compliance within 90 days, according to the Times Now report in the uploaded document.
The order states that manufacturers and importers must ensure the app is present and fully functional at the time of first use or device setup. The Sanchar Saathi app is already part of the DoT’s citizen-centric safety initiative and will now become a standard feature on every new smartphone.
Alos Read | Winter session opens with Modi praising VP Radhakrishnan; Kharge quotes Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
What the Sanchar Saathi app does?
According to the DoT, the Sanchar Saathi portal and app allow users to verify the genuineness of a mobile device via its IMEI number, report any fraudulent communications and register lost or stolen phones. It also helps users check mobile connections issued in their name and provides verified contact details for banks and financial institutions.
The initiative is designed to address increasing cases where the same IMEI number is found active on multiple devices, creating hurdles in identifying fraud and taking action against misuse. India’s large second-hand device market has also seen instances of stolen or blacklisted phones being resold, putting unsuspecting buyers at risk. The app allows users to check whether an IMEI has been blocked or blacklisted.
Why the government is making it mandatory
The Times Now report explains that the directive is part of the government’s wider effort to curb misuse of telecom resources and strengthen telecom cybersecurity under the Telecommunications Act 2023 and the Telecom Cyber Security Rules 2024.
Tampering with identifiers such as the 15-digit IMEI is a non-bailable offence, punishable with up to three years in prison, fines of up to ₹50 lakh, or both.
Manufacturers must also ensure that the Sanchar Saathi app’s functionalities cannot be disabled or restricted, and that it remains clearly visible and accessible to users.
Other recent DoT directions
As part of broader digital-security measures, the Centre recently issued separate directives for app-based communication services like WhatsApp, Telegram and Signal. The rules require that any web version of these apps must automatically log out users once every six hours, after which the device must be re-linked through a QR code.
Also Read | Mumbai pulls out its pollution-control trump card; GRAP-4 now active: All you need to know
All such service providers will have 120 days to submit compliance reports to the DoT, as stated in the uploaded file .
The government says the combined measures are aimed at safeguarding citizens, ensuring device authenticity, and improving reporting mechanisms for telecom-related fraud.
