The mobile ecosystem in India is thriving with over 1.12 billion active mobile connections and more than 750 million smartphone users as of 2025. However, this rapid growth has also led to a dangerous underside: stolen phones, counterfeit devices with spoofed or cloned IMEI numbers, SIM-based identity fraud, and a rise in cyber-crime through spam calls and spoofed SMS.
The scale of the threat is astonishing. India reported nearly 14 lakh cyber-fraud complaints in 2024, according to the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre, with financial losses surpassing ₹10,300 crore annually. Telecom-based fraud makes up a large part of this increase. The government has already blocked over 7.8 lakh fraudulent SIM cards, deactivated 2.08 lakh suspicious IMEIs, and blacklisted 31 lakh stolen devices through the CEIR platform. However, recovery rates are very low, with only about 3-5% of stolen smartphones ever being traced. For millions, losing a phone now means not only financial loss but also potential identity theft, unauthorised digital transactions, and the infiltration of personal and professional data.
Table of Contents
The Birth of Sanchar Saathi
To address these threats, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) introduced Sanchar Saathi in May 2023, a government-based portal and mobile application designed to empower users and strengthen telecom cybersecurity. Since then, Sanchar Saathi has helped block more than 3.7 million lost or stolen devices, shut down over 30 million dubious connections, and reclaim just over 700,000 phones, aligning with government efforts.
Sanchar Saathi offers services for daily risks: verifying whether a handset is original based on its IMEI, checking the number of mobile connections linked to a name, reporting potential fraud cases, and blocking or reporting lost or stolen handsets. The application utilises a central IMEI registry (CEIR) to track device identities across networks, making stolen or black-market phones ineffective. By providing a single platform for telecom fraud complaints and device verification, Sanchar Saathi aims to reduce the misuse of telecom resources, scams, and identity theft among citizens.
From Optional App to Preinstalled Requirement
Sanchar Saathi has been optional until December 2025, similar to other apps. However, on November 28, the Department of Telecommunications directed all smartphone manufacturers and importers to install Sanchar Saathi on every smartphone sold in India. This applies to both new and existing units: new models must have the app installed, and older phones will need to install it through a software update. Users will not be able to delete or disable the app. The action must be completed within the next 90 days.
How the App Works: IMEI, Fraud Alerts, and Subscriber Control
Sanchar Saathi uses IMEI, a 14-to 17-digit unique identifier for each mobile device. When installing the app, users can verify device validity, check whether it’s blacklisted, or check whether it has multiple SIMs.
For lost or stolen phones, users can contact the registry, which marks the IMEI to block network access, rendering the phone useless. The app also features Chakshu, a reporting system for suspicious calls, SMS, or messages, such as spam, phishing, or fraud, helping report telecom fraud to authorities.
These services provide a single interface to help all citizens, even in remote areas, stay digitally secure and improve telecom security standards.
Security, Transparency, and Consumer Protection
The government describes the requirement as an update necessary to protect citizens against rising malware, cybercrime, and telecom fraud. The DoT notes that pre-installations of Sanchar Saathi help prevent the purchase of unauthorised or stolen phones, stop the misuse of telecommunication resources, and make it easier to report fraud – all essential measures for a safer digital environment.
The fact that the app is non-removable leads authorities to believe it will reach a large number of people, including those who might not install such tools at all. In a country with more than 1.2 billion mobile subscribers, this requirement could significantly reduce scams, black-market mobile phone sales, and identity theft.
Privacy, Consent and Digital Rights at Risk
The requirement has caused controversy and criticism. Privacy advocates and digital rights defenders say that making an undeletable government app mandatory violates user rights and limits choice. They fear it may pave the way for forced software use, leading to spying or data misuse.
Apple and other manufacturers are uneasy, as their policies oppose pre-installing non-first-party or government apps, which could face resistance. Users remain suspicious of call logs, cameras, file access, device status, and sensitive data permissions, despite privacy policies claiming these are not misused. Political and legal critics argue the measure is unconstitutional without public consultation and could infringe on privacy rights under Article 21 of the Constitution.
What Users Should Know
Sanchar Saathi is useful for users who trust data handling, with features like remote shutdown, blocking stolen devices, and reporting suspicious activity, reducing theft and fraud, and building trust in telecom and second-hand markets. Privacy concerns need careful management, as the app is mandatory and unremovable. The government must be transparent about data use, storage, access, and security. Future collaboration among regulators, manufacturers, civil society, and users is essential to set protective measures, conduct audits, and ensure transparency. The app’s success could establish a global standard for digital security, safety, and digital rights.
Protection or Precedent?
Sanchar Saathi is more than an app; it aims to create a nationwide digital safety net for over a billion mobile users, tackling identity theft, fraud, stolen phones, and black market devices through centralisation and regulation. While it could protect many, it also raises concerns about device linkage to the state. Its legacy depends on not just the number of phones blocked or frauds prevented but also on trust, consent, and accountability. Balancing security and openness could make it a pivotal moment in India’s digital security, but it also risks enabling controversial surveillance.
