Govt Drops Mandatory Pre-Installation of Sanchar Saathi App
Decision follows sharp rise in voluntary downloads and growing public trust
- Centre withdraws rule requiring Sanchar Saathi app pre-installed on all smartphones
- Govt says app remains voluntary, secure and citizen-focused
- 1.4 crore downloads so far; 6 lakh new registrations in a single day
- App aids users in reporting cyber frauds and blocking suspicious numbers
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 3rd Dec: The government on Wednesday announced that it has removed the mandate requiring smartphone manufacturers to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app on all new devices. The move comes amid rapidly rising voluntary adoption and growing public confidence in the digital safety platform.
According to the Ministry, the app was initially made mandatory to help safeguard citizens against cyber fraud and ensure widespread access to essential security tools. Sanchar Saathi enables mobile users to identify fraudulent numbers, report cybercrime attempts, block suspicious connections and track lost or stolen phones.
Clarifying concerns, the government said the app is entirely voluntary, privacy-safe and user-controlled, adding that citizens are free to delete it at any time. Officials emphasised that the app has “no function other than protecting users” and plays a key role in promoting jan bhagidari in the fight against cybercrime.
So far, 1.4 crore users have downloaded the app, helping authorities flag nearly 2,000 fraud incidents every day. The government noted a sharp surge in uptake after recent awareness efforts — with six lakh new registrations recorded in just one day, a tenfold jump.
Terming this rising acceptance as a “strong affirmation of public trust,” the government said the mandate for pre-installation is no longer necessary, and smartphone manufacturers will not be required to preload the app.
The Sanchar Saathi platform remains central to the Centre’s broader strategy to curb digital fraud and enhance citizen cybersecurity across India.
