In December 2025, the government of India mandated that all new smartphones sold in the country must come with a pre-installed government app — the cybersecurity application Sanchar Saathi. The directive affects all major smartphone manufacturers and aims to strengthen protection against phone fraud and stolen or counterfeit devices. This decision to mandate government app pre-installation on smartphones marks a significant regulatory intervention in the mobile device ecosystem, raising both security hopes and privacy concerns.
What the Mandate Requires — Pre-Install of “Sanchar Saathi”
- The order, issued on November 28, 2025, directs smartphone makers to preload the state-owned app Sanchar Saathi on all new devices within 90 days. Users will not be allowed to disable or remove it.
- The mandate covers major manufacturers selling devices in India — including global brands.
- For devices already in the supply chain at the time of the order, manufacturers have been told to push the app via over-the-air software updates so they also comply.
- The government says the app is essential to fight telecom-related cyber threats: it helps users report suspicious calls, verify IMEI numbers, block stolen or lost phones, and stop fraudulent connections. According to data, Sanchar Saathi has already contributed to recovering hundreds of thousands of lost phones and terminating millions of fraudulent connections.
Why the Government Did This — Addressing Phone Fraud & Cybersecurity
The mandate reflects growing concerns about telecom fraud, spoofed or duplicate device identities, and the black-market circulation of stolen or counterfeit phones. By ensuring every smartphone has a cybersecurity tool built in, the government aims to:
- Make it easier for users to verify device authenticity and block fraudulent or stolen devices.
- Strengthen tracking and regulation of phone theft and fraud.
- Reduce misuse of telecom infrastructure through fake or cloned devices — a matter the government terms a “serious endangerment” to cyber-safety.
Supporters see this as a proactive step toward improving national telecom security and protecting consumers.
Controversy & Concerns — Privacy, User Choice, and Manufacturer Pushback
🔎 User Choice and Privacy Concerns
- Many users and privacy advocates argue that forcing a non-removable government app violates user autonomy over what they install on their devices. Making the app undeletable removes user choice.
- The opaque nature of the mandate (the order was reportedly private and not publicly announced in full) raises concerns about transparency.
📱 Pushback from Smartphone Makers
- Some manufacturers might resist or negotiate compliance, especially if their internal policies forbid pre-installation of third-party or government apps.
- For example, companies with strict control over their operating systems may find it difficult to comply without adjusting business models or software policies.
⚖️ Broader Implications for Consumer Rights
- The mandate raises questions about the balance between public safety and individual rights.
- It could set a precedent where governments demand pre-installation of apps — even ones beyond cybersecurity — prompting debate on digital freedoms and the limits of regulatory power over personal devices.
Broader Context — From Proposals to Enforcement
This is not the government’s first attempt to influence pre-installed apps. Earlier in 2025, the government had discussed a wider initiative: asking smartphone makers to pre-install a suite of public-service apps (including a government-backed app store under Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, MeitY) on devices sold in India. India Today
However, those proposals faced pushback from major OS vendors, and were not formalised — until now, when the Sanchar Saathi mandate was quietly issued.
In 2023, the government had even considered stricter regulations to remove pre-installed bloatware and ensure operating-system updates were security-screened. This shift — from promoting removal of pre-installed apps to mandating one — signals a major change in approach, likely driven by rising telecom-fraud concerns.
What This Means for Indian Consumers & Smartphone Market
- For buyers: Starting soon, every new smartphone in India will come with Sanchar Saathi pre-installed and non-removable — so go-to setup will include a government security app by default.
- For manufacturers: Companies will have to comply within 90 days, adapt supply chains, and possibly adjust update/OS policies. Some — especially those with tight OS ecosystems — may resist or negotiate.
- For privacy and digital-rights advocates: The mandate may spark debates and demands for transparency, optionality, and user consent.
- For telecom security: If implemented correctly and used widely, this could help curb phone fraud, block counterfeit/stolen devices, and strengthen user safety across the country.
Conclusion
The government’s decision to mandate pre-installation of a state-owned cybersecurity app on all new smartphones — the government app pre-installation on smartphones rule — is a significant regulatory move. While it aims to enhance telecom security and protect citizens against fraud, it also raises important issues about user choice, privacy, and the role of state intervention in consumer technology. As this policy rolls out over the coming months, how manufacturers, consumers, and privacy watchdogs respond will likely shape India’s digital ecosystem for years to come.
