The app, called Sanchar Saathi, was launched earlier in 2025 by the telecom regulator to help block stolen or fraudulent phones and to prevent the misuse of duplicate or spoofed IMEI numbers. According to official data referenced in the directive, the platform has already helped recover more than 700,000 lost phones since launch and blocked several million fraudulent connections across networks.
Officials say the push is part of broader efforts to strengthen digital security and protect users from growing cyber-fraud threats. The government argues that by ensuring the application is embedded at the factory level, devices entering the market become immediately protected, and monitoring of legitimate and fraudulent handsets becomes more effective. Telecommunications networks, retailers and consumers are all likely to benefit if the app successfully curbs misuse of devices and reduces losses from theft and identity scams.
Some technology companies and privacy advocates, however, view the order with concern. The requirement for a non-deletable government app on personal devices is seen by critics as undermining user consent and compromising digital autonomy. The move echoes similar mandates in other countries, where state-backed apps have been preloaded on devices — a model that has triggered sustained debate over privacy rights.