Sanchar Saathi app mandatory on all new smartphones; Central govt's unprecedented move ignites debate

NEW DELHI: All mobile phone manufacturers have been ordered to pre-install the cybersecurity app Sanchar Saathi developed by the Department of Telecom.

The directive should be implemented within 90 days, and a report should be submitted to the department within 120 days.

This app is designed to prevent fraud, such as fake handsets, using the same IMEI number on multiple phones, fake SIM cards, fake connections, and to help track lost phones.

The app installed during manufacturing should be clearly visible during the first device setup. It should be user-friendly. The app should be installed through software updates on models currently on sale.

There is also criticism from some quarters over making a pre-installed app mandatory for the first time in India. The main allegation is that the government can track the customer's phone through Sanchar Saathi.

SIM binding, which will require WhatsApp to be used only on phones with a SIM card, will be implemented soon. This will end the practice of using a SIM card on one phone and WhatsApp on another. As part of cybersecurity, the Department of Telecom instructed messaging apps, including WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal, and Snapchat, to implement this within three months. Each WhatsApp account must be linked to an active SIM card. Users of WhatsApp Web will have to log in every six hours.