The telecom ministry of India has issued a private directive requiring smartphone makers to preload all new devices with a state-owned cybersecurity app, India orders show. The app, Sanchar Saathi, cannot be deleted, a move likely to concern Apple and privacy advocates.
The government said the measure aims to combat rising cybercrime and hacking. India orders also stipulate that the app must be pushed to existing devices in the supply chain via software updates. Smartphone makers including Apple, Samsung, Vivo, Oppo, and Xiaomi are affected by this mandate.
The November 28 order gives companies 90 days to ensure that the Sanchar Saathi app is pre-installed on all new phones. The app helps users track lost or stolen phones across all telecom networks and allows them to block fraudulent connections. Since its launch in January, the app has been downloaded over 5 million times, helping recover more than 700,000 lost phones and block 3.7 million stolen devices.
Privacy experts have raised concerns over India orders requiring mandatory pre-installation of the app. Mishi Choudhary, a tech lawyer, said the policy “effectively removes user consent as a meaningful choice.” Critics compare the move to Russia’s recent requirement for a government-backed messenger app to be preloaded on smartphones.
Apple has historically resisted government requests to pre-install apps on its iOS devices. Research director Tarun Pathak said Apple may seek a compromise, allowing users to opt-in rather than forcing installation. Android devices, which dominate India’s 735 million smartphone market, are more likely to comply fully with the government’s order.
The Sanchar Saathi app also supports IMEI tracking to prevent duplicate or spoofed phone numbers used in scams. The government says this measure is essential to protect telecom networks and prevent fraud. With more than 30 million fraudulent connections terminated since the app’s launch, authorities say the initiative strengthens cybersecurity and aids law enforcement in tracking stolen devices.
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