As a major digital-security move, the Indian government has directed all mobile manufacturers to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app on every handset manufactured or imported in the country. While the Centre claims this step will enhance citizen safety and curb cyber fraud, the Opposition has raised serious concerns about privacy, calling it a path toward state surveillance.
Therefore, the debate around the app has quickly intensified, drawing national attention.
What Is the Sanchar Saathi App?
The Sanchar Saathi app is a central government initiative designed to help citizens stay safe in the digital ecosystem. It offers multiple services through both its mobile app and web portal.
Moreover, it includes Chakshu, a feature that enables users to report suspicious communications such as:
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cyber-fraud attempts
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phishing links
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malware-infused messages
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commercial spam calls
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device cloning attempts
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malicious web links received through SMS, RCS, WhatsApp, Telegram, iMessage, and other platforms
As a result, the app helps the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) prevent misuse of telecom resources and strengthens India’s fight against cybercrime. The platform has also played a role in blocking lakhs of stolen mobile phones and aiding their recovery.
What the Centre Has Ordered
The Department of Telecommunications, under the Ministry of Communications, has directed smartphone companies to ensure the Sanchar Saathi app comes pre-installed on all handsets within 90 days from November 28.
The order states that manufacturers must:
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Make the app easily visible during the initial device setup
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Ensure its functions are not disabled or hidden
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Push the app as a software update for already-manufactured phones
Consequently, companies that fail to follow these instructions may face action from the government.
Opposition’s Strong Reaction
The move has triggered sharp criticism from Opposition parties.
Senior Congress leader KC Venugopal termed the order “beyond unconstitutional”. He argued that a government app that cannot be uninstalled threatens citizens’ Right to Privacy, which is protected under Article 21 of the Constitution.
Furthermore, he warned that such preloaded surveillance tools pose a risk to civil liberties and demanded an immediate rollback.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi also condemned the decision, calling it “another Big Boss surveillance moment”. She stated that instead of improving grievance-redressal systems, the government was intruding into private devices, and such attempts would be met with resistance.
How Smartphone Companies May Respond
Reports suggest this mandate could cause friction, especially with companies like Apple, which generally opposes forced pre-installation due to privacy concerns.
Additionally, industry sources claim that manufacturers were not consulted before the directive was issued.
Although the Sanchar Saathi platform already has more than a crore downloads, pushing it as a mandatory system app may become a point of conflict between the industry and the government.
The Road Ahead
The government insists that the mandatory installation is meant to protect citizens from rising digital threats.
However, critics believe that the risk of surveillance outweighs its benefits. The real challenge will be finding a balance between national security and personal privacy.
In short, whether the directive becomes a long-term policy or faces rollback will depend on public debate, industry response, and legal scrutiny in the coming days.
