Mon Dec 01 14:35:18 UTC 2025: Headline: India Mandates Pre-Installation of Cybersecurity App on All New Smartphones

New Delhi – The Indian government has issued a directive requiring all smartphone manufacturers to pre-install the state-owned cybersecurity app, Sanchar Saathi, on new devices. The order, issued by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) on November 28th, aims to combat online scams and mobile-related crimes. Manufacturers have 90 days to comply, and users will not be able to disable the app.

Sanchar Saathi, which translates to “communication companion,” is designed to address cybersecurity threats, particularly those stemming from duplicate or spoofed International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers. The app allows users to report stolen or lost phones and block fraudulent connections. According to government data, the app has been downloaded over 5 million times and has been instrumental in blocking over 3.7 million stolen or lost phones and 30 million fraudulent connections. It has also aided in the recovery of more than 700,000 lost phones.

The DoT directive also mandates a software update for existing devices to facilitate the app’s installation. While currently available for optional download, the government believes making the app mandatory is crucial for enhanced cybersecurity.

The order is expected to face resistance, particularly from Apple, which has a policy against pre-installing third-party apps, even those developed by governments. Past clashes with Indian regulators over similar app requests suggest Apple may seek a compromise, potentially suggesting users download the app instead of pre-installation.

Privacy advocates have also expressed concerns, arguing that the mandatory pre-installation removes meaningful user consent.

The DoT has not yet commented on the reports. This directive follows a global trend of governments pushing state-backed apps to tackle fraud and enhance security.

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