India Mandates Cyber‑Safety App on All New Smartphones
GeokHub
Contributing Writer
NEW DELHI, Dec 1 (GeokHub) — The Indian government has quietly instructed all smartphone manufacturers to preload a state‑owned cyber‑safety app on every new phone sold in the country — and importantly, users will not be allowed to delete it.
Under the directive, major phone makers such as Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi, Vivo and Oppo have been given 90 days to ensure that every device shipped in India comes with the official app installed. Devices already sitting in stores or warehouses must also receive the app through a software update before reaching customers.
The app — named Sanchar Saathi — is designed to help users block or track lost or stolen phones, verify device identifiers (IMEI), and disable duplicate or fraudulent connections. Government officials say the measure aims to curb rising cybercrime, phone theft and SIM‑based scams.
But the move has sparked concern among privacy advocates and some technology companies, who argue that forcing the installation of a non‑removable app undermines user consent and could open the door to surveillance. Critics highlight that preloading a government‑mandated application on every phone marks a significant shift in how digital rights and personal device autonomy are treated.
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For consumers, the change means nearly every new smartphone bought in India will now come with this safety tool out‑of‑the‑box — for better or worse: some will appreciate added protection, while others may resent the loss of control over what runs on their device.
