Sanchar Saathi App Discussed With All Mobile Manufacturers Except Apple: Communications Minister Highlights Fraud Prevention Benefits

The Sanchar Saathi app can be activated and deleted by consumers according to the minister.

New Delhi:

Minister of State for Communications Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani revealed on Tuesday that discussions regarding the Sanchar Saathi app have been conducted with all mobile phone manufacturers except Apple in a working group setting.

Speaking to PTI, Pemmasani clarified that the Sanchar Saathi app functions like any other application that users can install and remove at will. Its purpose is to facilitate the reporting of online fraud and help locate lost mobile devices, among other features.

Pemmasani explained that the crowdsourced data collected through Sanchar Saathi helps prevent financial fraud. This was the reasoning behind allowing the app's installation on most mobile phones, as it would make information more accurate and enable faster fraud resolution.

"A working group was established and all original equipment manufacturers were invited to express their concerns. To my knowledge, Apple was the only company that did not participate in this working group, while all others did," Pemmasani stated.

Industry sources indicate that Apple plans to discuss the directive regarding Sanchar Saathi app installation to find a compromise solution. The company may face challenges implementing the order in its current form.

Previously, Apple had resisted supporting functions of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India's (Trai) DND app for reporting unwanted calls and SMS. After years of discussions, Apple now supports the Trai DND app with certain limitations.

Pemmasani assured that the Sanchar Saathi app will only access phone numbers and SMS messages that users specifically report as fraudulent or spam.

"When reporting fraud or spam through the app, it will request the number from which you received the call. Only that information gets reported. Similarly, for SMS messages, it will ask for the number from which the message originated. No additional information will be recorded or reported," Pemmasani clarified.

The minister highlighted the scale of the problem, noting that last year approximately 50 lakh people were affected by cyber fraud, resulting in losses of Rs 23,000 crore. The government has received numerous complaints about fraudulent activities.

"Citizens have lost their mobile numbers and phones. We also receive many complaints about multiple phones being registered under someone's name without their knowledge. This prompted our action. The Sanchar Saathi app is available not only in English and Hindi but in all regional languages. Currently, 1.4 crore people have installed this mobile app, and 21 crore people visit the Sanchar Saathi website. This initiative has been ongoing for one and a half years," Pemmasani explained.

He emphasized that the entire app operates through crowdsourcing mechanisms.

The minister reiterated that 1.4 crore people have already downloaded the app, with the website receiving 21 crore visits.