India to Register All Smartphones in New Security Drive

India Mandates Government Security App Pre-Installation on All Smartphones

The Indian government is expanding a major cybersecurity initiative. It now requires security app pre-installation on all new and used smartphones. This move aims to combat device theft and online fraud.

The order applies to all manufacturers and resale platforms. Reuters first reported the policy directive this week. The government confirmed the details in an official statement.

How Sanchar Saathi Works and Its Rapid Adoption

The Sanchar Saathi portal launched in 2023. It lets users block or trace lost and stolen phones using their IMEI number. The system has already blocked over 4.2 million devices.

A dedicated app was released in January. Government data states it helped recover over 700,000 phones. In October alone, 50,000 devices were reportedly found using it.

Adoption has surged recently. According to Sensor Tower data shared with TechCrunch, the app saw over three million monthly active users in November. That is a more than 600% increase from its launch month.

Privacy Concerns and Industry Pushback

The mandate has sparked significant criticism. Privacy advocates and opposition parties argue it expands state surveillance. They say it does so without sufficient public safeguards.

Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia calls the system “voluntary.” He stated users can delete the Sanchar Saathi app if they wish. However, the government’s directive instructs manufacturers to ensure the app is not disabled during setup.

The policy also impacts the booming second-hand phone market. India became the world’s third-largest market for used smartphones in 2024. The government is piloting an API for resale platforms to upload customer and device data directly.

Experts warn of overreach. Prateek Waghre of the Tech Global Institute called it a “troubling move.” He expressed concern about every device being entered into a government database with unclear future uses.

The push for the Sanchar Saathi app represents a significant shift in digital governance. It balances crime prevention against fundamental privacy rights in one of the world’s largest mobile markets.

A quick knowledge drop for you

What is the Sanchar Saathi app?

The Sanchar Saathi app is a government tool for smartphone security. It allows users to block stolen phones and check device authenticity. The app accesses a central database of IMEI numbers.

Is the Sanchar Saathi app mandatory?

Government officials state the app is voluntary for users. However, manufacturers must pre-install it and make it accessible during device setup. Users can reportedly uninstall it afterward.

How many phones has Sanchar Saathi recovered?

According to government data, the platform has helped recover over 700,000 lost or stolen phones. In October 2024 alone, it facilitated the recovery of approximately 50,000 devices.

What are the main privacy concerns?

Critics fear the mandate creates a centralized government database of all smartphone users. They worry about potential misuse of this data and a lack of transparent oversight and safeguards.

Does this affect used phone buyers?

Yes. The policy expansion requires formal recommerce platforms to verify devices through the government database. This aims to reduce fraud in the second-hand smartphone market.

Which phone manufacturers are involved?

The government says most major manufacturers were part of its working group. TechCrunch reports that Apple did not participate in these discussions regarding the pre-installation order.