BENGALURU, India (Diya TV) — India has ordered smartphone makers to preload a government-backed cybersecurity app on all new devices. The directive has raised concerns among global technology companies and privacy advocates. It also signals a stronger push by the government to curb cybercrime and track stolen phones in one of the world’s fastest-growing mobile markets.
The telecom ministry issued a private order on November 28 directing major smartphone brands to install the Sanchar Saathi app on every new device sold in India. The app cannot be deleted or disabled. Companies have 90 days to comply. The order, reviewed by Reuters but not released publicly, applies to Apple, Samsung, Vivo, Oppo, Xiaomi, and other manufacturers. It also requires companies to push the app to devices already in the supply chain through a software update.
India says the move will help tackle rising cybercrime, including phone theft, identity fraud, and misuse of fake or duplicate IMEI numbers. IMEI, or International Mobile Equipment Identity, is a unique 14- to 17-digit code that lets telecom operators block stolen phones from network access.
Officials argue that the Sanchar Saathi app has become essential to protect users. The app helps people block stolen phones across networks, track lost devices, and disconnect suspicious mobile connections. Government data shows the tool has recovered more than 700,000 lost or stolen smartphones. In October alone, users recovered about 50,000 devices.
The app has more than 5 million downloads and has helped block more than 3.7 million stolen or lost phones. Authorities say it has also helped terminate more than 30 million fraudulent mobile connections. The ministry calls the situation a “serious endangerment” to national telecom security.
Privacy experts say the order could weaken user rights. Mishi Choudhary, a technology lawyer and digital rights advocate, says the decision removes “user consent as a meaningful choice.” She warns that forcing a pre-installed app undermines privacy safeguards and sets a worrying precedent.
Similar concerns emerged earlier this year in Russia, where authorities required phones to include a state-backed messaging app called MAX. Critics argued the rule expanded government control over digital communication. Apple faces the toughest challenge under the new rule. The iPhone maker allows only its own native apps to be pre-installed on devices. Apple has rejected government requests for preloaded apps in the past, including a previous demand for an anti-spam tool.
A source with direct knowledge of Apple’s policies says the company prohibits installing any third-party or government apps before a device is sold. Analysts expect Apple to negotiate with the government. Tarun Pathak, research director at Counterpoint, says Apple may seek a “middle ground” such as prompting users to install the app instead of adding it by default.
Apple holds an estimated 4.5% share of India’s 735 million smartphones as of mid-2025. The vast majority run on Google’s Android platform. Apple, Google, Samsung, and Xiaomi did not respond to requests for comment on the order. The telecom ministry also did not issue a public statement.
India has more than 1.2 billion telecom subscribers. It is also one of the world’s largest smartphone markets. The government says the Sanchar Saathi platform strengthens digital safety and helps police track stolen devices while reducing the sale of counterfeit phones. Authorities argue that tighter controls will reduce scams driven by spoofed IMEI numbers, fake accounts, and mobile identity theft. The new mandate forms part of a broader effort to secure the country’s digital ecosystem as cybercrime cases rise.
The order places smartphone makers in a tight spot. They must follow India’s rules while balancing global privacy standards. The next three months will show whether companies accept the mandate or seek changes. As India expands its digital security framework, the debate over privacy, user rights, and government control is likely to grow louder.
