The Sanchar Saathi app mandate, introduced by India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT), has been officially withdrawn after nationwide backlash from smartphone manufacturers, digital rights organizations, and political leaders. The reversal marks one of the most significant policy rollbacks in India’s recent digital governance landscape, underscoring ongoing tensions between national security initiatives and user privacy rights.
Initially, the DoT ordered smartphone makers to pre-install the government-backed Sanchar Saathi app on all new mobile devices sold in India. The directive required implementation within 90 days and stipulated that the app must remain visible, fully accessible, and unremovable by users. According to the government, the Sanchar Saathi app mandate was intended to curb IMEI-related fraud, block stolen devices, and strengthen telecom security infrastructure across the country.
However, the mandate immediately sparked resistance from major global and domestic stakeholders. Apple reportedly refused to comply, citing its global privacy commitments and the need to maintain a consistent security model across all regions. Samsung, India’s largest smartphone vendor, initiated an internal review to assess compliance risks and implications.
Digital rights groups strongly criticized the Sanchar Saathi app mandate. Organizations such as the Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF) and the Software Freedom Law Centre (SFLC) warned that compulsory installation of a government-controlled app risked creating a dangerous precedent for device-level surveillance. They argued that the requirement lacked strong legislative backing, disproportionately expanded government control over private consumer devices, and undermined user autonomy.
Political opposition added further pressure. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi publicly labeled Sanchar Saathi a “snooping app,” amplifying concerns that the government could use the platform for intrusive data collection or monitoring. Critics drew parallels to earlier controversies surrounding Aarogya Setu, India’s COVID-19 contact-tracing application, which also faced scrutiny over privacy transparency and data retention practices.
As criticism intensified, the government initially signaled that it might revise or soften the mandate based on industry and civil society inputs. However, faced with mounting pressure from multiple sectors—technology, legal, political, and public advocacy—the DoT ultimately decided to revoke the Sanchar Saathi app mandate entirely.
The rollback is being hailed as a win for digital rights and consumer privacy advocates. Industry analysts note that the government’s decision may help restore confidence among global smartphone brands, many of which were concerned about compliance burdens, reputational risks, and potential disruptions to global privacy standards.
The incident also reignites broader conversations about India’s approach to technology regulation, device sovereignty, and balancing national security objectives with individual privacy. Experts argue that while the government’s goal of addressing telecom fraud is legitimate, such initiatives must be accompanied by transparent frameworks, clear legal justification, and user-centric protections.
Moving forward, the revocation of the Sanchar Saathi app mandate may influence how future digital policies are drafted and implemented. Both industry stakeholders and privacy advocates are urging the government to adopt more consultative policy-making processes that carefully consider legal safeguards, technical implications, and global best practices in digital governance.
As India continues advancing its digital infrastructure and cybersecurity strategy, the debate sparked by the Sanchar Saathi app mandate serves as a crucial reminder: achieving national security objectives cannot come at the expense of user trust, privacy, and democratic oversight.
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