Sanchar Saathi is a government app by India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT), launched in January 2025, for cybersecurity. It lets users verify IMEI numbers, report fraud/suspicious calls, track/block lost/stolen phones, and flag spam via a central platform.
India mandates its pre-installation on all new smartphones (manufactured/imported) starting ~March 2026, per Telecom Cyber Security Rules 2024, to combat telecom fraud, duplicate IMEIs, and misuse—enhancing user security and awareness. It’s non-removable, with existing devices updated via Opposition calls Sanchar Saathi “Pegasus++” (per Congress leader Karti Chidambaram) as it’s a non-removable app enabling potential mass surveillance, akin to the Pegasus spyware scandal.
Sanchar Saathi privacy concerns: Mandatory pre-installation of non-deletable app grants government access to call/SMS logs, device IDs, SIM data, photos, camera, and location for fraud reporting, enabling potential mass surveillance without user consent or clear retention policies. Opposition calls it unconstitutional under Article 21, likening to “Pegasus++” or North Korean control
