Indian Govt Gives 90-Day Window for Preloading Sanchar Saathi Cyber Security App on Smartphones

In a significant move to enhance cyber security, the Indian government has mandated smartphone manufacturers to preload the Sanchar Saathi cyber safety app on all new devices within 90 days, as per Reuters.  

This directive aims to curb phone fraud and ensure better protection for users. 

Sanchar Saathi App: A Step Towards Enhanced Cyber Security 

As per Reuters, the Ministry of Communications has issued a directive requiring major smartphone manufacturers, including Apple, Samsung, Vivo, Oppo, and Xiaomi, to pre-install the government-owned Sanchar Saathi app on all new devices.  

This app, which cannot be deleted by users, is part of the government's strategy to combat telecom cyber security threats, particularly those involving duplicate or spoofed IMEI numbers used in scams. 

Launched in January, the Sanchar Saathi app has already proven its effectiveness, helping recover over 7,00,000 lost phones, including 50,000 in October alone.  

The app allows users to verify IMEI numbers, report suspicious calls, and block lost or stolen phones through a central portal. 

Compliance and Challenges for Smartphone Makers 

Smartphone manufacturers have been given a 90-day deadline to ensure compliance with this directive. For devices already in the supply chain, manufacturers are required to push the app through software updates. This move is expected to raise concerns among privacy advocates and companies like Apple, which typically pre-install only proprietary apps. 

Apple, which holds a 4.5% share of India's 735 million smartphones, faces a policy conflict as its internal policies prohibit the installation of government or third-party apps before sale. However, the government insists this step is crucial to counter serious threats to telecom cyber security. 

Read More: Indian Govt and Asian Development Bank Sign $800 Million Loan Agreement for Development Projects! 

Additional Measures: SIM-Device Binding for OTT Apps 

In addition to the Sanchar Saathi app mandate, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has instructed OTT communication apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal to ensure continuous SIM-device binding.  

This measure aims to prevent misuse of telecom identifiers and strengthen cyber security. Under this rule, a communication app cannot operate on a device if the SIM card used for registration is not present. 

For platforms allowing multi-device use, the DoT requires periodic logout of companion devices every 6 hours, with re-login via QR code. All telecom identifier user entities must comply and submit reports within 120 days. 

Conclusion 

The Indian government's directive to preload the Sanchar Saathi app on smartphones marks a significant step towards enhancing cyber security and reducing phone fraud. While the move presents challenges for manufacturers, it underscores the importance of safeguarding telecom networks and user data. 

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