At the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) in New Delhi, officials have announced that every mobile handset maker and importer must pre‑install the cybersecurity app “Sanchar Sathi” on all devices sold in India, starting on November 28.
The DoT has set a 90‑day deadline for manufacturers to finish the installation and asks those firms to file a compliance report within 120 days.
The directive has ignited a sharp political backlash: the opposition calls it a “brazen misuse” of state authority that invades citizens’ privacy, and some have even branded the app a snooping tool.
Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, speaking on Tuesday, said the app is not compulsory.
Nevertheless, the ministry’s statement stresses that the measure is intended to curb the surge in cyber fraud and bolster national security.
What is “Sanchar Sathi”?
“Sanchar Sathi” is a DoT initiative aimed at empowering mobile users, enhancing their security and raising awareness about government‑run citizen programmes. The app, available on phones and through a web portal, lets users block lost or stolen handsets, verify device authenticity, flag international callers using Indian numbers, and learn the identity of their verified internet service provider. It also includes “Chakshu” features that warn users of potential fraud, malicious links and unwanted messages.
Why the controversy?
The controversy began when the DoT directed every handset manufacturer and importer to install the app on all phones used in India, positioning it as a move to strengthen cybersecurity and restrict misuse of International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI). The notification makes the app mandatory on all new smartphones and requires that it be visible during phone setup, with no option to disable or hide it. Manufacturers must file a compliance report within 120 days.
Opposition reaction
The directive has provoked a strong response from opposition leaders, who accuse the government of breaching privacy and intruding into personal lives. Congress leader KC Venugopal declared, “Big Brother cannot watch us. This DoT Direction is beyond unconstitutional.” He further warned that a pre‑loaded government app that cannot be removed is a dystopian surveillance tool, “watching over every movement, interaction and decision of each citizen.”
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi called the app a snooping tool and said the ruling party is “turning the country into a dictatorship.”
Karti Chidambaram likened “Sanchar Sathi” to Pegasus spyware, chanting “Pegasus ++” and accusing the centre of trying to pry into everyday lives. He also suggested that the government is adopting a Russian‑model surveillance approach.
Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi of Shiv Sena (UBT) described the move as yet another “BIG BOSS surveillance moment.”
She warned that the ministry’s reliance on surveillance rather than robust redress mechanisms will be met with protest and pushback.
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