New Delhi | Dec 3, 2025 | Sky Link Times
The Government of India on Wednesday officially withdrew the mandatory pre-installation requirement of the Sanchar Saathi app on all new smartphones, citing a sharp rise in voluntary adoption and growing public confidence in the platform. The announcement was made by the Ministry of Communications, which highlighted that citizen participation has made compulsory installation unnecessary.
Sanchar Saathi, launched as a national cybersecurity initiative, is designed to help users report digital fraud, detect fake mobile connections, and secure stolen or lost devices.
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Voluntary Adoption Crosses 1.4 Crore Users
According to official data, over 1.4 crore users have already downloaded the Sanchar Saathi app, helping authorities track and respond to nearly 2,000 cyber fraud reports every day.
In a remarkable surge, the Ministry revealed that six lakh people registered on the app in just the last 24 hours, marking a tenfold increase in downloads. This rapid growth convinced policymakers that the app now enjoys sufficient public trust to operate without compulsion.
“The idea behind the mandate was to protect less-aware users. But widespread acceptance has now made it redundant,” the Ministry stated.
Why the Mandatory Rule Was Introduced
The pre-installation rule was initially introduced to ensure that smartphones came equipped with basic cyber protection tools, especially for first-time internet users and rural populations vulnerable to fraud calls, SIM misuse, and digital scams.
However, officials admitted that public awareness, combined with media reporting and real-time fraud alerts, has significantly boosted organic adoption of the app.
No Surveillance, Full User Control: Govt
Addressing concerns over privacy, the government reiterated that Sanchar Saathi has zero surveillance capability and works only when users actively register and use its services.
Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, while addressing the Lok Sabha during Question Hour, strongly rejected allegations of spying.
> “Sanchar Saathi app se na snooping sambhav hai, na snooping hoga”
(No snooping is possible through the Sanchar Saathi app, nor will it ever happen.)
He clarified that the app is purely a citizen safety tool, focused on preventing:
Fake mobile connections
Fraudulent calls and SMS
Identity theft
Lost or stolen phones
The ministry also assured that users are free to delete the app at any time, reinforcing its voluntary nature.
Also Read:https://skylinktimes.in/govt-drops-mandatory-sanchar-saathi-app-rule/
Strengthening ‘Jan Bhagidari’ Against Cybercrime
The government emphasized that Sanchar Saathi promotes “jan bhagidari” (public participation) in combating cybercrime. By enabling citizens to directly report suspicious activity, the platform strengthens India’s digital governance and cybersecurity framework.
Experts believe the move reflects maturity in India’s digital ecosystem, where trust-based adoption is now replacing regulatory enforcement.
What This Means for Smartphone Buyers
What This Means for Smartphone Buyers
With the rollback of the mandate:
Smartphone manufacturers are no longer required to pre-install the app.
Users can download it voluntarily from official app stores.
Market competition remains unaffected by government software requirements.
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