New Delhi | December 3, 2025 | SKY LINK TIMES
Govt Drops Mandatory Sanchar Saathi App Rule:
The Government of India has officially withdrawn the mandatory requirement for smartphone makers to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi cybersecurity app on new devices, following a sharp rise in voluntary adoption and public trust.
The decision was announced by the Ministry of Communications on Wednesday, highlighting that the app — aimed at protecting citizens from cyber fraud, fake mobile connections, telecom scams and digital crimes — has gained significant traction without the need for compulsory installation.
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1.4 Crore Downloads and 10X Uptake in 24 Hours
According to ministry data, 1.4 crore (14 million) users have downloaded the Sanchar Saathi app so far, contributing to reporting nearly 2,000 cyber fraud incidents daily.
> “In the last 24 hours alone, six lakh citizens registered to download the app, marking a ten-fold jump in its uptake,” the ministry stated.
Due to this rapid growth, officials said the earlier mandate — intended to ensure access for less digitally-aware users — is no longer necessary.
> “Given Sanchar Saathi’s increasing acceptance, the Government has decided not to make the pre-installation mandatory for mobile manufacturers,” the Centre said.
Govt Rejects Snooping Allegations in Parliament
The announcement came shortly after Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia addressed Parliament, strongly rejecting claims that the Sanchar Saathi app enables surveillance.
He clarified that the platform neither collects personal data nor monitors devices.
> “Snooping is neither possible nor will it happen with the Sanchar Saathi safety app,” Scindia said in Lok Sabha, adding in Hindi:
“Sanchar Saathi app se na snooping sambhav hai, na snooping hoga.”
The minister added that the app activates only after voluntary user registration and can be deleted at any time.
Also Read:https://skylinktimes.in/sanchar-saathi-must-come-pre-installed-on-all-phones-in-india/
What the App Does
Sanchar Saathi is designed to:
Track and block lost or stolen phones
Identify and disable fraud SIM cards
Help report cyber fraud and scam calls
Improve citizen participation in cyber safety (jan bhagidari)
The government emphasised that the app serves only one purpose — protecting users from digital crime — with no surveillance capabilities.
Why the Rollback Matters
The move is expected to reassure smartphone users and privacy advocates after earlier concerns about forced installations. At the same time, rising public participation reflects increasing awareness of cybersecurity risks in India, where online fraud cases have surged nationwide.
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