Sanchar Saathi app must be pre-installed on phones: DoT, Pg12

Key Highlights:

• The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has mandated pre-installation of the Sanchar Saathi app on all new smartphones sold in India starting March 2026.
• The app aims to verify the authenticity of IMEIs used in mobile devices and safeguard citizens from non-genuine handsets.
• The Sanchar Saathi app was first introduced as a portal in 2023 and has received 2.48 lakh complaints so far.
• In October, the Sanchar Saathi app helped recover 50,000 lost or stolen devices.

Detailed Insights:

• The Sanchar Saathi app allows users to identify SIM cards registered in their name, report scam calls, and remotely disable stolen phones.
• The DoT aims to address the issue of spoofed/tampered IMEIs in telecom networks, which poses challenges in taking action against such devices.
• The government aims to curb the resale of stolen or blacklisted devices in India's second-hand mobile market through this initiative.
• The DoT has clarified that the Sanchar Saathi app does not collect any user data, addressing privacy concerns.
• The DoT's SIM-binding directions are essential to plug security gaps exploited by cybercriminals for large-scale digital frauds.
• Messaging platforms continue to enable anonymous scams and government-impersonation calls even after SIM removal, which the DoT aims to address.
• Some smartphone manufacturers, like Apple, have previously resisted government mandates to pre-install apps due to permission requirements.

Key Concepts Involved:

• IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity): A unique identification or serial number given to every mobile device.
• SIM Binding: Linking a mobile device to a specific SIM card to prevent misuse even if the SIM is removed.
• TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India): The independent regulator of the telecommunications business in India.