Recently, it was reported that the Sanchar Saathi app has been made mandatory for all phones in India, and the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) had directed that new phones (manufactured and imported) should be pre-loading it, whereas the app must be rolled out to older phones via an OTA update. While earlier it was said that the app cannot be removed from the device, it is now confirmed to be possible from the side of users. Also, the Cupertino-based smartphone maker – Apple does not wish to pre-install the app within their devices, and is planning on exploring other alternative solutions with the government.

Read more about the latest news below.

Sanchar Saathi App Can be Deleted?

This news has been shared directly by Jyotiraditya M. Scindia (Union Minister for Communications and Development of the North Eastern Region, India) and as per his X post, along with promoting the app and why it is important, he states that the system is completely voluntary and democratic. He points out that it is up to the users of the device to choose whether or not to activate the app and its services/benefits. Furthermore, he also adds that if the users do not wish to keep the app in their respective phones, they will also be able to delete it at any point of time.

Apple Planning to Explore Other Alternatives

Reportedly, phone brands like Samsung, Apple, Xiaomi, Vivo, OPPO, and more are already instructed to implement and follow the new instructions, however brands like Samsung, Apple, and even Google do not have a history of pre-installing any apps. Even if this is the case, these brands are asked to complete the whole process in 90 days, and they should be able to submit a report about it within 120 days.

Even though this is the scenario that all the brands are in, Apple is said to work with the Government of India to find other alternative solutions and reach a middle ground on the matter without having to pre-load the Sanchar Saathi app on their devices. Similar to its negotiations with the Russian Government back in 2021, Apple plans on adding a notification which will prompt the users to install the government-listed app at the time of setting up the device.

However, it remains to be seen whether Apple’s pleas will be heard, as it has been clearly stated in the notice that the app must be active at the moment the device is turned on, must not be disabled/hidden/restricted, and must be part of the setup process itself. Just like Apple, there are other brands too which are planning to oppose the action, and is going to take the matter before the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) which handles this domain. [via CNBC TV18]

Stay tuned for more such updates.

The post Sanchar Saathi Can be Deleted From the Phone by Users, States Union Minister; Apple Resists Mandatory Sanchar Saathi App Pre-Loading, and Wishes to Explore Other Alternatives appeared first on The Tech Outlook.

At the beginning of this year, the Sanchar Saathi mobile app was officially launched, allowing users to report cyber fraud or fake calls directly from their mobile devices. This app was a citizen-centric initiative of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT).

Previously, it was up to the users whether they wanted to install the Sanchar Saathi mobile app or not, but now DoT has issued directions for the pre-installation of this app in all the new smartphones manufactured or imported for use in India.

The manufacturers are said to ensure that the app is readily visible and accessible to end users at first use or during device setup and that its functionalities are not disabled or restricted. For the already launched mobile phones in India, the manufacturers and importers of mobile handsets shall endeavour to push the app through software updates.

The implementation of this new order is said to be completed in 90 days, and to submit the report in 120 days. This new rule applies to all brands- Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi, Vivo, Oppo, and others.

The Sanchar Saathi app mandate is issued to safeguard citizens from buying non-genuine handsets, enable easy reporting of suspected misuse of telecom resources, and increase the effectiveness of the Sanchar Saathi initiative.  This initiative is said to curb the misuse of telecom resources for cyber fraud and ensure telecom cybersecurity.

Sanchar Saathi app helps in-

• Reporting scam or spam calls/SMS
• Blocking your lost or stolen phone using its IMEI
• Checking if any SIM is issued in your name without your knowledge
• Confirming if your phone is original or fake
• Getting alerts for suspicious international calls

The app is said to have already helped recover 7 lakh+ lost or stolen phones, blocked millions of fake devices, and stopped crores of fraudulent SIM connections.

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India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has now issued a new advisory warning aiming to safeguard users and ensure safety across the telecom network. People indulging in activities such as fraudulent sim procurement, IMEI tampering, and more will be strictly penalized under the Telecommunications Act of 2023.

Here’s more about it.

Department of Telecommunications (DoT) – New Advisory Warning Against Fraudulent Activities Issued

In a statement made recently by the Ministry of Communications of India, as the use of mobile connectivity in the country increases rapidly, the misuse of SIM cards and IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) for fraudulent activities are rising alongside, posing a great concern over citizen safety and security. DoT has now imposed strict measures to prevent such activities, and all citizens are asked to make use of the Sanchar Saathi mobile app and portal for verifying and securing both their phone connections and devices.

Speaking more, as per the advisory warning that has been shared, if a SIM that has been issued in a person’s name is used for cyber fraud or other fraudulent activities, this person can also be charged as an offender and be punished. People who take SIM cards in their name and give it away to wrongdoers also fall in this category. Relying on fake KYC for SIM procurement, tampering with the IMEI number, use of SIM boxes (assembling or possessing), and accessing applications to modify Calling Line Identity are all chargeable offences.

Section 42(3)(c) and Section 42(3)(e) of the Telecommunications Act 2023 prevents tampering with telecommunication identifiers and acquiring SIM cards illegally. Under Section 42(3)(f), the possession of SIM boxes, modems or modules, and tampered Mobile handsets are also criminalized and it is a punishable offence. People who aid in these activities are also guilty as per Section 42(6). Up to three years of imprisonment and up to INR 50 lakh fine can be charged (any one or both). These actions are also cognizable, and no bail will be granted to the accused.

The post DoT Issues Advisory Warning Against Fraudulent Sim Procurement, IMEI Tampering, and More in India: Strict Penalties to Be Charged Under the Telecommunications Act 2023 appeared first on The Tech Outlook.

Back in 2021, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) issued guidelines as per which a subscriber was allowed to switch to a prepaid connection from a postpaid connection and vice versa through OTP-based authentication. Earlier it was allowed to convert the connection again only after 90 days of the previous conversion.

DoT has now issued new guidelines in accordance with the conversion of mobile connections from Prepaid to Postpaid through OTP.

📱 Switching between Prepaid ↔️ Postpaid got easier through OTP!

⏱️ Cooling-off period for first-time reconversion reduced from 90 days to 30 days.

🔁 Need to switch sooner? Use KYC at PoS or authorized outlets! pic.twitter.com/kWbPcGsanZ

— DoT India (@DoT_India) June 12, 2025

Earlier, the customers had to wait for a long 90 days for re-conversion of the mobile connection, but as per the new guidelines, the cooling-off period for first-time re-conversion has been reduced. In partial modification, it is now decided that a subscriber may now be allowed to re-convert after 30 days from the date of first conversion.

However, if any subsequent OTP-based conversion is opted for by the same subscriber, they shall be permitted to re-convert only after 90 days from the date of the previous conversion. This will be clearly communicated to the customer before initiating each conversion. In case a subscriber wishes to re-convert within the lock-in period of 30 or 90 days (as the case may be), they may still do so by following the extant KYC process at PoS or authorized outlets of the licensees.

This new change will make the switching of mobile connections more consumer-friendly and less time-consuming for subscribers. Do note that all other security and regulatory conditions will remain unchanged.

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The Department of Telecommunications, Government of India has now sent a ‘Test Cell Broadcast Message’ to people across the country. As indicated by the name, this is just a test message and people shouldn’t be worried about anything.

Here’s more about it in detail.

‘Test Cell Broadcast Message’ – Sent Across India?

Indian mobile phone users today – on the 28th of May 2025 had received a ‘Test Cell Broadcast Message’ from the Department of Telecommunications in India. This message is intended for testing purposes only, and it can be assumed that the Telecommunications Department of the country could be testing its alert services and thereby ensuring its functioning. The message also asks users/readers to ignore the message and no action needs to be taken regarding anything.

In the past too, the Department of Telecommunications has shared such messages throughout the country and as previously revealed, along with ensuring the proper functioning of its alert services, the readiness or awareness of people at a time of distress is also being tested as part of it. So if by chance or unfortunately something bad happens – people can be notified of it immediately through the alert services and they can take the necessary precautionary action as soon as it is possible.

Also to add, the now-shared message also mentions how to turn off test alerts. On Android devices, open ‘Settings’ > ‘Safety and emergency’ > ‘Wireless emergency alerts’ > and turn off ‘Test alerts’. iOS users can visit ‘Settings’ > Notifications > and find the option to turn off ‘Test alerts’ at the bottom. However, it is best not to turn it off.

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Indian mobile users today morning on the 20th of July 2023 had received an alert message on their mobile devices with the message “Emergency alert: Severe”. The message was sent all of a sudden by the Department of Telecommunications, Government of India, and soon after receiving the alert message, people across the country started to panic.

Citizens don’t have to worry as the emergency alert message was just a test alert as indicated on the message and was sent to test the readiness of people when such a message was sent to them.

Here’s more about it.

Test Alert Sent by Department of Telecommunications Spreads Panic

The country for quite a short period of time today was in a state of shock when all of a sudden a message started to be received on mobile devices. The message which addressed an emergency alert that was titled “severe” made people panic that they forgot to read the latter part of the message or couldn’t really digest what was written below. The weather conditions that are currently present in the country were another reason for the panic.

The message was sent for a test purpose by the Department of Telecommunications of the country just to check the efficiency of such a message or alert if it was sent to people at a time of emergency. It was also sent with the purpose to familiarize people with the format of such emergency messages and also to check the network infrastructures and quality of network services offered by the network providers of the country.

As mentioned, people shouldn’t panic and should take the message as a test alert and nothing more.

Many have received this "Test alert" from the Department of Telecommunication. This is just a test alert as mentioned, nothing to worry 🙌 pic.twitter.com/4KwfDUTR7d

— Dhananjay_Tech (@Dhananjay_Tech) July 20, 2023

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