The Indian government's recent directive to pre-install a government-backed app on all smartphones has ignited controversy within the tech industry—raising questions about user rights, data privacy, and corporate autonomy. But here's where it gets controversial... Industry giants like Apple, Google, and Samsung, along with industry associations, are gearing up to oppose this move, citing serious concerns about how it might infringe on individual freedoms and privacy laws. The app in question, Sanchar Saathi, is designed to enhance cybersecurity and enable surveillance capabilities.
According to the government notification issued on November 28th by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), all companies selling mobile phones in India are required to ensure this app is pre-installed on brand-new devices. For phones already in circulation, manufacturers are instructed to push updates that incorporate Sanchar Saathi. The deadline for compliance is 90 days, with a subsequent 120 days to submit proof of adherence. A key point of contention among industry players is that the app must remain permanently on devices—it cannot be uninstalled or disabled, raising concerns about user autonomy.
The DoT reinforced its stance via a social media post on the platform X (formerly Twitter). India’s sizeable smartphone market—approximately 750 to 800 million users—and yearly sales exceeding 150 million units underscore the broad impact of this directive. Industry insiders reveal that the government’s primary aim with this move is to curb fraudulent activities carried out through mobile phones, especially scams.
One executive explained, “The policy clearly indicates that Sanchar Saathi is to be preloaded on all phones to facilitate the tracking of illicit activities.
