Sanchar Saathi App Launched: Key Updates and FAQs

Introduction

India has taken another major step toward safeguarding its rapidly growing digital ecosystem. In January 2025, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) launched the Sanchar Saathi App a citizen-focused initiative designed to protect telecom users from cyber fraud, theft, and mobile-related crimes.

Developed as a companion to the existing Sanchar Saathi portal (sancharsaathi.gov.in), the mobile app puts essential security tools directly in citizens’ hands from tracking stolen phones to reporting scam calls and fake SMS.

By late 2025, the app had already crossed 5 million downloads, a testament to how seriously Indians are taking mobile safety. But the app’s journey hasn’t been without controversy especially after the government briefly ordered it to be pre-installed on all new smartphones.

Let’s unpack what the Sanchar Saathi app does, why it matters, the political debate it sparked, and what users should know before installing it.

What Is Sanchar Saathi?

Sanchar Saathi, meaning “Communication Companion”, is a cybersecurity and consumer protection tool created by India’s DoT.

It serves as both a web portal and a mobile app (available on Android and iOS). The goal is simple: empower mobile users to protect themselves by giving them access to telecom-related information and control over their devices.

Key Features:

1. IMEI Tracking & Blocking (Lost/Stolen Phones)
   Users can block a lost or stolen phone using its IMEI number. Once blocked, the device cannot be used on any Indian network preventing resale or misuse. Authorities can also trace it if reactivated.
2. Chakshu – Report Fraud Calls and Messages
   The Chakshu feature allows reporting of scam calls, phishing SMS, or fake WhatsApp messages. Fraudulent communications are flagged to regulators and law enforcement to help stop spam and identity theft.
3. Verify Connections in Your Name
   Citizens can check how many mobile connections are registered under their name. Any unauthorized SIMs can be reported and blocked protecting against fake KYC or cloned identities.
4. KYM (Know Your Mobile)
   Before buying a phone, users can check if it’s genuine by entering its IMEI number. This helps prevent counterfeit or cloned device purchases.
5. Report Spoofed International Calls
   Users can flag international calls that appear with an Indian number (+91) a common trick used by fraudsters.
6. ISP Lookup (on Web Portal)
   The web version allows users to check broadband ISPs by PIN code, aiding transparency.

Together, these features make Sanchar Saathi a one-stop solution for telecom security, helping ordinary users protect personal data and fight digital fraud.

The App’s Impact

Within a year of launch, Sanchar Saathi delivered measurable results:

• Over 5 million downloads across Android and iOS
• 3.7+ million stolen/lost phones blocked nationwide
• 700,000+ devices recovered through IMEI tracing
• 30+ million fraudulent SIMs terminated
• Millions of spam complaints addressed through Chakshu
• Available in 22 Indian languages

These numbers show real adoption and real impact. By identifying fake SIMs and blocking cloned IMEIs, Sanchar Saathi helps shut down black markets for stolen devices. It’s a cybersecurity success story but it’s not without challenges.

The Controversy: Pre-Installed App Order

In late November 2025, India’s DoT issued a directive to all smartphone manufacturers (including Apple, Samsung, and Xiaomi) to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app on every new phone sold in the country and to make it non-removable.

The government said this would “strengthen cybersecurity and curb telecom fraud.” However, the order quickly backfired.

Opposition leaders and privacy advocates accused the government of forcing a “snooping app” onto citizens. Some dubbed it “Pegasus Plus Plus”, suggesting it could enable mass surveillance.
Social media erupted with memes and protests, while legal experts warned of privacy violations under India’s data protection laws.

Within days, Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia issued a clarification:

“The Sanchar Saathi app is optional. Users can delete it if they wish. It is meant to empower citizens, not monitor them.”

This statement contradicted the original “non-removable” clause, leaving many confused. It remains to be seen whether phone makers will install it as a default app (deletable) or a mandatory system app (undeletable).

Still, the clarification helped calm public backlash at least temporarily.

Privacy and Data Protection

The main public concern is privacy. Does the Sanchar Saathi app collect too much data?

According to the DoT, the app does not spy on users. It complies with India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Act (2023) and only collects minimal data needed for its core functions like verifying your IMEI when you report a lost phone.

Official statements stress that:

• No data is sold or shared with private companies.
• Data is shared with law enforcement only when legally required.
• The app does not track users continuously.

However, critics note that the app’s permission list including camera, messages, and network access could be misused if left unchecked.

Privacy advocates argue that once such an app is on every phone, the potential for mission creep (expanding its scope over time) becomes real. The debate highlights India’s ongoing struggle to balance security with privacy in its digital transformation.

Industry Response: Apple and Android Makers

Smartphone manufacturers have reacted cautiously.

• Apple, known for strict privacy controls, reportedly opposes forced installation of non-Apple apps. Sources say Apple may seek an exception or propose making Sanchar Saathi optional during setup instead.
• Android makers like Samsung, Xiaomi, and Realme are more likely to comply, as Android OS already allows government-mandated preloads.

Industry analysts predict a negotiated middle ground, where the app appears pre-installed but remains user-removable, aligning with the minister’s clarification.

How It Helps Small Businesses?

While most headlines focus on politics, Sanchar Saathi also benefits MSMEs and startups.

For small enterprises that rely heavily on smartphones for operations from payments to logistics the app offers practical safeguards:

• Instant phone blocking if company devices are lost or stolen.
• Fraud alert reporting through Chakshu to prevent phishing or scam losses.
• Connection verification, ensuring no unauthorized SIMs are linked to the business owner’s ID.
• Device authenticity checks, preventing purchases of counterfeit work phones.

For entrepreneurs and freelancers, these tools reduce downtime, financial risk, and data theft boosting trust in digital operations.

Public Reaction

Public opinion remains divided:

• Supporters see it as a useful safety tool, especially for non-tech-savvy citizens vulnerable to scams.
• Critics call it a government overreach and fear potential misuse.

Yet, most agree on one thing: telecom fraud is a real problem and tools like Sanchar Saathi, if used transparently, can make India’s digital space safer.

StartupFlora Content Generator said:

How StartupFlora Spreads Awareness About the Sanchar Saathi App?

StartupFlora helps startups and MSME owners stay secure by promoting the Sanchar Saathi app through guides, alerts, and awareness content. By explaining its benefits ike fraud reporting and device protection StartupFlora encourages business owners to download the sanchar saathi app and safeguard their digital operations.

FAQs

Q1: What is the Sanchar Saathi App?
A telecom safety app by India’s DoT launched in January 2025. It helps users report fraud, block stolen phones, and verify genuine devices. Available in 22 languages on Android and iOS.

Q2: Why was it launched?
To fight telecom-based cybercrime, fake SIM registrations, and phone theft empowering citizens to take control of their digital identity.

Q3: What are its key features?
IMEI blocking, fraud reporting (Chakshu), connection verification, device authenticity check (KYM), and spam/international call reporting.

Q4: How many users does it have?
Over 5 million downloads and 3.7 million phones blocked as of late 2025.

Q5: Is it mandatory?
No. As of December 2025, the government clarified it’s optional and can be deleted by users.

Q6: Does it invade privacy?
The government says no data collection is minimal and law-compliant. Still, users are encouraged to review permissions before using.

Q7: Will Apple include it?
Apple may resist mandatory pre-installation due to privacy policies but could offer an optional prompt at setup.

Q8: How can businesses use it?
MSMEs can protect work phones, detect fake SIMs, and report fraud directly, improving communication security.

Q9: Where to get it?
Download from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store (search “Sanchar Saathi”), or visit sancharsaathi.gov.in.

Q10: Is my data safe?
Yes, according to DoT the app encrypts data, complies with India’s data protection law, and doesn’t sell or share information commercially.

Conclusion

The Sanchar Saathi App represents a bold step in India’s fight against cybercrime. It empowers citizens with control over their devices and telecom identities, helping reduce fraud at scale.

However, transparency and user choice are key. Mandating pre-installs without consent risks eroding public trust something no security initiative can afford.

If implemented responsibly, Sanchar Saathi could become a model for citizen-led digital security proving that in India’s digital future, safety and freedom can indeed go hand in hand.