INTRODUCTION
The Union Government on Wednesday withdrew its recent directive that required all smartphone makers to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app on every device sold in India. Sanchar Saathi, an anti-fraud platform introduced by Department of Telecommunications (DoT) enables users to track, block and verify mobile connections. While the app itself remains voluntary, the central issue lies with the mandatory pre-installation requirement.
BACKGROUND
Launched in January, Sanchar Saathi is described by the DoT as a “citizen centric initiative” designed to help mobile subscribers and strengthen their security against telecom-related cyber threats. The app allows users to verify their IMEI number, report stolen phones, flag suspicious activity and access educational content on telecom safety and cybersecurity. The compulsory installation of the app was contested by several civil society organisations stating that it breached key principles of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, especially those relating to informed consent and limiting the use of data to its stated purpose. The controversy grew until multiple legal experts pointed out that forced pre-installation may amount to a form of indirect surveillance, raising constitutionality issues under Article 21.
KEY POINTS
- Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia clarified in Parliament that “snooping is neither possible nor will it happen with the Sanchar Saathi safety app,” and stressed that the pre-installation mandate was introduced to increase accessibility to less tech-savvy citizens.
- The app has seen a rapid growth with over 1.4 crore users currently registered and reporting around 2,000 fraud incidents daily. The government stated that the pre-installation mandate was initially intended to accelerate adoption but is no longer necessary, given the app’s growing popularity.
- The rollback follows protests by opposition parties criticising the directive and linking it to surveillance practices in authoritarian states.
- Smartphone manufacturers like Apple and Samsung argued that the mandate conflicts with the global privacy norms and stressed that pre-installation could increase risk of vulnerabilities. The Government acknowledged that requiring the app to be mandatory could create unreasonable compliance obligations.
- The government portrayed the rollback as a decision shaped by public feedback, emphasizing that voluntary use is key to enhancing digital safety while protecting citizens’ safety. The Sanchar Saathi app remains available for download on both Apple and Android devices for users who choose to install it.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
With the rollback, smartphone manufacturers no longer face the legal duty to preload the app. Installation now rests fully with the users, as with any other third-party application. The manufacturers and users are free to decide whether they want to delete or install the app. It is yet to be seen whether the government will develop a fresh legal or regulatory framework to tackle cyber threats in a way that appropriately balances security with fundamental rights.
CONCLUSION
The Government’s rollback on the pre-installation mandate reflects a crucial balance between digital privacy and individual rights of the citizens, and it is significant at a time when digital governance and data protection are under heightened scrutiny. For the government, the installation now signals confidence and voluntary adoption, For critics, it reflects the impact of sustained public scrutiny on digital policy.
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WRITTEN BY: ARCHITHA MANIKANTAN
