Sanchar Saathi App Downloads Surge 10-Fold as Government Mandates Pre-installation on Mobile Phones

Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia confirmed that users have the freedom to delete the app if they prefer not to use it.

New Delhi:

According to Department of Telecommunications sources on Wednesday, the government's cyber security and safety app Sanchar Saathi experienced a remarkable ten-fold increase in downloads on Tuesday, rising from a daily average of approximately 60,000 to nearly 600,000.

The surge in downloads occurred despite criticism from Opposition leaders and some industry experts regarding the Department of Telecom's order to mandatorily pre-install the app on all mobile phones. Critics allege that the app is designed for "snooping" and violating citizens' privacy.

"The public has suddenly shown tremendous interest in the Sanchar Saathi App. Downloads in a single day jumped 10 times to around 6 lakh from an average of 60,000 a day," a DoT source, speaking anonymously, revealed to PTI.

Official data indicates that 1.5 crore people had already downloaded the app before the order was issued.

The November 28 directive requires all mobile phone manufacturers to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app on all devices sold in India and on existing devices through software updates.

Mobile phone companies must ensure the pre-installed application is clearly visible and accessible to end users during initial setup, and that its functionalities remain unrestricted.

Union Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has emphasized that users are free to delete the app if they choose not to use it.

DoT sources clarified that the requirement for the app to be "readily visible and accessible" with unrestricted functionality is a directive for manufacturers, not a limitation on users.

"The instruction simply means manufacturers must not conceal, impair, or install a non-functional version of the app and later claim compliance. The directive doesn't state that users cannot uninstall the Sanchar Saathi App. Citizens retain the choice to enable and register the app or uninstall it," a source explained.

DoT sources emphasized that the Sanchar Saathi app has limited access to phone data, and only to the extent permitted by citizens during each "interaction of reporting fraud" through granted permissions.

Similar to other mobile applications, Sanchar Saathi requests permission to "make & manage phone calls" to verify the active SIM before beginning registration, and to send SMS to complete user registration.

"This involves a one-time SMS, comparable to OTP verification processes used by banking apps, UPI applications, and communication platforms. The app doesn't utilize this permission for any other purpose," the source stated.

DoT sources noted that the app requires camera access to photograph products, such as IMEI numbers printed on packaging, to verify device authenticity, or to capture screenshots of fraudulent calls or messages as evidence.

"The app is designed without access to contacts, other applications, location, microphone, bluetooth, or any other private functionalities or user data not specifically permitted by the user when reporting fraud. The app doesn't independently collect data based on granted permissions. Additionally, citizens can revoke permissions anytime, deregister mobile numbers from the app, or completely uninstall it," the source explained.

DoT sources confirmed that the app never accesses microphone, location, bluetooth, or the operating system.

"The Sanchar Saathi app has limited access to phone data, and only to the extent citizens authorize during each 'interaction of reporting fraud,'" the source reiterated.

Amol Kulkarni, Research Director at think tank CUTS International, commented that despite good intentions, mandating pre-installation of the Sanchar Saathi app without prior public consultation raises significant concerns about expectations for citizens to trust the government unquestioningly.

Sanjeev Kumar, Senior Partner at Luthra and Luthra Law Offices India, noted that the government's reasoning stems from a severe telecom security crisis.

"The primary stated objective is to verify genuine mobile handsets through their IMEI numbers, establishing a national framework to combat spoofed or tampered devices—a major entry point for cybercrime. The app provides tools for reporting stolen phones, fraudulent communications, and suspicious connections," Kumar explained.

He added that the push to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app comes amid what authorities describe as a "peak menace" of digital arrest scams, where criminals impersonate law enforcement officials to extort victims financially.

"The problem has become so severe that the Supreme Court recently took the extraordinary measure of directing the CBI to investigate all such scams, overriding state consent—indicating the national urgency of the issue. The government presents Sanchar Saathi as a robust frontline defense and complaint mechanism for vulnerable citizens, particularly seniors targeted by these scams," Kumar concluded.