Earlier, when the Government of India issued directions to several OEMs making it mandatory for the Sanchar Saathi app to come pre-installed on devices, the wording of that order made it seem like the app could not be deleted or uninstalled.

However, Jyotiraditya M. Scindia (Union Minister for Communications and Development of the North Eastern Region) later clarified on X that although the app would come pre-loaded, users would still have the freedom to uninstall or delete it. Soon after, reports emerged stating that Apple was unwilling to modify its software to include mandatory pre-loading of the Sanchar Saathi app, citing privacy and security concerns.

Now, in a new press release, it has been confirmed that the decision to mandate pre-loading of the app has been withdrawn. The press release also mentions that 1.4 crore users have already downloaded the app, and the user base is growing rapidly. The ministry originally made pre-loading mandatory to accelerate adoption. But according to new data, in just the last one day alone, 6 lakh citizens have registered to download the app — a 10× surge in uptake. With this momentum, the government has stated that there is no longer any need to make pre-installation compulsory for mobile manufacturers.

Government lifts mandatory pre-installation of Sanchar Saathi App

Refer to press release for details: https://t.co/n3iqBdZzXZ#DoT #Telecommunications #CyberSecurity #DoTForDigitalSafety #SancharSaathi@JM_Scindia @PemmasaniOnX @neerajmittalias @USOF_India @pib_comm @PIB_India… pic.twitter.com/KqVmjO1fF5

— DoT India (@DoT_India) December 3, 2025

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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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The Government of India has taken the initiative to safeguard its citizens from fraudulent and other spam activities by launching the Chakshu Portal in the country. Alongside, DoT(Department of Telecommunications) have also unveiled the Digital Intelligence Platform as well.

Here’s more about it.

Chakshu Portal Launched to Safeguard People from Frauds

The Chakshu Portal has been introduced as part of the Sanchar Saathi initiative and can be accessed and used easily by all Indians via the Sanchar Saathi platform. The main goal or aim of the portal is to enhance transparency and vigilance in telecommunications and prevent all kinds of fraudulent and spam activities such as the messages or calls received regarding KYC expiry, updating bank account details, SIM, payment wallets, gas connections, and so on.

Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Union IT and Telecommunications Minister, spoke that the Chakshu Portal is a user-friendly platform that will let users to reports any messages or calls that they find to be dubious or suspicious in any manner. Users after logging in to the Chakshu Portal through the Sanchar Saathi platform can fill in the details regarding the fraud or spam activity that was faced by mentioning the medium(SMS, call, or WhatsApp), its category(fake KYC, fake consumer helpline, impersonation, sextortion, and others), and a screenshot of it, along with the other relevant information.

The Digital Intelligence Platform from the Department of Telecommunication is for the purpose of restraining or keeping in check with any kinds of telecom misuses that are taking place or have been taken place in cyber-crime or financial frauds. The details will be shared among banks, wallet operators, social media platforms, as well as other stakeholders in real-time(almost).

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