New Delhi: In a significant policy shift, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has withdrawn its order that mandated mobile handset manufacturers to pre-install the ‘Sanchar Saathi’ application on all smartphones. The government issued a clarification on Wednesday stating that the pre-installation of the cyber security app is no longer mandatory, citing the application’s rapid voluntary adoption and “increasing acceptance” among citizens.
The controversy stems from a DoT order dated November 28, 2025, which directed mobile phone manufacturers to ensure the Sanchar Saathi app was pre-installed on all new smartphones. Furthermore, the directive required manufacturers to push the app to existing devices via software updates. The move was initially framed as a measure to enhance digital security and protect citizens from cyber fraud.
However, the directive faced immediate scrutiny from digital rights activists and political opposition, who raised concerns regarding privacy, potential surveillance (“snooping”), and consumer choice. Reports suggesting that the app might be non-removable (bloatware) further fueled the debate regarding the legality and necessity of such a mandate.
Addressing the revocation of the order, the Department of Telecommunications stated that the primary objective of the initial mandate was to accelerate awareness and accessibility of the safety tool for less tech-savvy citizens. The DoT observed that this objective is currently being met through voluntary uptake.
In its official statement, the Ministry noted, “The number of users has been increasing rapidly, and the mandate to install the app was meant to accelerate this process.”
The government provided statistical data to support the withdrawal:
- Total Downloads: Over 1.4 crore users have downloaded the Sanchar Saathi app.
- Recent Surge: A 10-fold increase in downloads was recorded in a single day, with 6 lakh citizens registering voluntarily.
- Fraud Prevention: The statement highlighted that users are contributing information on approximately 2,000 fraud incidents daily.
Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia categorically rejected allegations that Sanchar Saathi is a “snooping app.” Responding to criticism from the opposition, Scindia termed the surveillance claims as “not possible” and clarified the functional scope of the application.
The Minister emphasized the following legal and technical points regarding the app:
- Voluntary Nature: Keeping the app on the device is strictly voluntary. Users are free to delete the application if they do not wish to use it.
- Removability: Contrary to earlier reports suggesting the app could not be uninstalled, the government clarified that the app can be removed by users at any time.
- Purpose: The application is designed purely as a cyber-security tool to safeguard citizens against “bad actors in the cyber world.”
With the revocation of the November 28 order, Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) are no longer under a legal obligation to ship devices with Sanchar Saathi pre-loaded. The onus of installation has shifted back to the end-user, aligning with standard practices for third-party applications.
The DoT concluded that the surge in downloads is an “affirmation of faith by citizens” in the government’s digital safety initiative, rendering the coercive mandate unnecessary. The app remains available for download for users seeking protection against telecommunications fraud.
