India Tells Smartphone Industry to Adapt to a New Mandatory App Rule
India tells smartphone makers to install the government’s Sanchar Saathi cybersecurity app on all new devices, a decision that has opened a strong debate across the country. The order, issued last week and made public recently, directs companies to ensure that the app is pre-loaded and visible to every user when they set up a new phone. The government claims the move strengthens telecom security, but experts say it raises important questions about privacy, permissions, and control over personal devices.
The Sanchar Saathi app was launched earlier this year to help users verify the legitimacy of their handsets, check IMEI information, and report lost phones or suspicious communications. The government argues that duplicate or tampered IMEI numbers have made it easier for stolen phones to be sold in the second-hand market, creating financial risks and enabling misuse of telecom resources. With more than a billion mobile users in India, the authorities say that tightening verification is necessary to protect consumers.
However, the order has triggered immediate concern because the app requires broad permissions. It can access call logs, message logs, phone identity details, camera, files, and more. Critics say that mandatory installation of an app with such wide access creates a foundation for deeper surveillance, even if the government insists the app does not collect user data. Privacy advocacy groups point out that the directive essentially makes every new phone ship with a tool that users did not ask for and cannot restrict during setup.
Technology organisations argue that the major issue is control. If a user cannot fully refuse, disable, or limit the app, it changes the balance between user rights and government requirements. Some analysts note that the situation becomes more complex because the policy says the app’s functionalities cannot be disabled, while the minister says it can be deleted. For many, this contradiction itself has become a point of concern.
India Tells Smartphone Companies to Comply, but Industry Pushback Grows
The industry response has been cautious. Several major smartphone makers typically avoid pre-installing government apps because it goes against their global policies. Apple, which holds a smaller share of the Indian market, follows stricter rules regarding pre-installed software. Reports suggest that the company does not intend to comply and plans to communicate its concerns to authorities. For Android makers, the challenge is different but equally difficult, as the required permissions may conflict with manufacturer guidelines.
Experts say the deeper worry is not about one app but about the precedent it sets. If one government-mandated app becomes compulsory, more could follow. Technology analysts note that giving an app broad system access increases the risk of future misuse, even if the current version claims not to store or share data. The potential for expanded permissions in later updates is a concern repeatedly raised by security researchers.
The app’s defenders point out that Sanchar Saathi has already helped trace thousands of lost or stolen phones. They highlight the benefits of controlling fraudulent SIM use, managing IMEI duplication, and improving telecom safety. But critics argue that these gains do not justify installing software that users have little control over. They fear that the lack of transparency about how data is processed or monitored may weaken trust at a time when digital privacy is already a sensitive topic.
India Tells Smartphone Users That the App Is Voluntary, Yet Uncertainty Remains
The communication minister has said publicly that users can delete the app if they do not wish to use it. But this statement does not align clearly with the order that states the app’s core functions cannot be disabled or restricted. Users now wonder how a system app that cannot be restricted can also be removed. This lack of clarity has added more fuel to the growing debate. Cybersecurity professionals say that transparency is necessary, especially when permissions include camera access, call management, and file access. Also Read: Actress Lakshmi Menan Shines at E.S. B Movie Inauguration in Kuala Lumpur in 2025
India Tells Smartphone Market to Prepare for Compliance Challenges
The Indian market is one of the world’s largest, and compliance with such a policy will require coordination across manufacturers, distributors, and software developers. Some devices already shipped but unsold must receive the app through software updates, adding an extra layer of complexity. Meanwhile, privacy organisations continue to call for clearer guidelines and independent audits to ensure that users are not exposed to unnecessary risks.
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Conclusion
The directive stating that India tells smartphone companies to pre-load the Sanchar Saathi app has created a wide discussion that goes beyond simple device verification. While the government highlights security benefits, experts stress that transparency and user control must remain central. The conversation is far from over, and the final impact will depend on how clearly the rules are defined in the coming months.
