The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has officially directed that the Sanchar Saathi application will be a standard feature on all new smartphones manufactured or imported for sale in India. This significant policy change requires OEMs and importers to ensure the app is pre-installed, visible, and fully accessible during the initial device setup. Manufacturers are expressly forbidden from disabling or restricting any of the app’s functionalities.
The Sanchar Saathi portal, operational since May 2023, is a cornerstone of the government’s strategy to protect citizens from mobile-related fraud and enhance digital safety. The app provides a robust set of tools, allowing users to easily report and block lost or stolen mobile phones, view all mobile connections registered under their name, and confirm genuine contact information for financial entities. It also enables users to verify the authenticity of their handset, identify suspicious or spam messages, and report international calls disguised as local numbers without OTP requirements.
This integration is expected to revolutionize how users report mobile fraud and loss, making the process immediate and straightforward. The platform’s effectiveness is already well-documented, with millions of mobile phones successfully blocked and recovered, and a vast number of user requests concerning mobile connections resolved. Its widespread adoption is further evidenced by millions of downloads on popular app stores.
By mandating its inclusion, the government seeks to protect consumers from acquiring fake devices, ensure prompt reporting of any telecom service misuse, and strengthen the overall security framework. Major smartphone brands must comply with this directive within 90 days, submitting a detailed compliance report within 120 days of the order.