The Indian government has ordered all smartphone manufacturers, including Apple, Samsung, and Xiaomi, to preload the state-owned Sanchar Saathi app on every phone sold in the country, sparking a political outcry over privacy and surveillance fears. The directive, issued quietly last week, gives companies 90 days to comply, with the app to be installed on new devices before sale and via software updates on existing ones.
The app, described as a citizen-centric cybersecurity tool, allows users to block or track lost or stolen phones, check mobile connections registered under their name, and report fraudulent calls. The telecom ministry says it is a security measure to combat rampant cyber fraud and regulate the second-hand phone market. The government denies any privacy violations, stating the app does not automatically capture personal information without user consent.
However, opposition politicians and digital rights activists have condemned the mandate. Congress party leader KC Venugopal called it 'dystopian,' while Priyanka Gandhi described it as a 'snooping app' violating the right to privacy. The Internet Freedom Foundation has vowed to fight the directive. According to Reuters, Apple is reportedly refusing to comply due to security concerns, though the company has not officially commented.
The app's privacy policy reveals that iPhone users will be asked for permission to access cameras, photos, and files, while Android users—who make up 95% of India's smartphone market—will also be asked to share call logs and send messages for registration. Initially, reports suggested the app could not be disabled, but Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia clarified on Tuesday that users can delete it like any other app.
