New Delhi, India – Tuesday, 3 December 2025 India’s government has ordered smartphone makers to preload a state-run cyber safety app on all new devices, prompting fierce backlash from opposition leaders who label it a privacy invasion. The move aims to curb mobile fraud but raises surveillance alarms across South Asia.
DoT Mandated State-Run Cyber Safety App
India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT) mandated the pre-installation of the Sanchar Saathi app on Tuesday, 2 December 2025, to enhance cyber safety amid rising stolen phone cases. The directive targets firms like Apple and Samsung, requiring compliance within 90 days. Opposition Congress party members decry the India cyber safety app as a tool for state snooping, urging an immediate rollback. Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia insists the app remains voluntary and deletable.
Sanchar Saathi Mandate: Core Features and Rollout
The Sanchar Saathi mandate compels manufacturers to embed the app directly into device software, ensuring visibility during initial setup. DoT officials state this step protects over 730 million Indian smartphone users from fraud and theft. Launched on 17 January 2025, the app verifies device IMEI numbers, reports lost handsets, and flags suspicious communications.
Since inception, Sanchar Saathi has amassed 1.4 crore downloads and blocked 42 lakh stolen or lost mobiles, according to Press Information Bureau data. Users can check connections linked to their numbers and report cyber threats without third-party involvement. The portal, introduced in May 2023, evolved into a mobile version to simplify access.
Scindia addressed concerns in a 2 December 2025 statement: “Sanchar Saathi is voluntary, transparent, and designed solely to protect India’s mobile consumers while advancing the nation’s cybersecurity.” He highlighted its dormant state until user registration, emphasising no access to messages or calls.
This India cyber safety app initiative aligns with broader digital security goals under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision. Yet, the non-disable clause in the order fuels debate, with experts noting potential conflicts with global device policies.
India App Privacy Breach: Opposition’s Sharp Critique
Congress leaders have branded the Sanchar Saathi mandate an “India app privacy breach,” invoking past spyware scandals like Pegasus. General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra stated on 2 December 2025: “It is a snooping app. Citizens have the right to privacy to send messages to family and friends without the government looking at everything.”
Party chief Mallikarjun Kharge accused the government of strangling public voices, while KC Venugopal posted on X: “Big Brother cannot watch us. The Right to Privacy is an intrinsic part of the fundamental right to life and liberty.” Renuka Chowdhury raised the issue in Rajya Sabha, linking it to democratic erosion.
Randeep Singh Surjewala filed a notice for parliamentary discussion, warning: “The grave apprehension is that such a compulsorily installed app can have a backdoor, compromising user data.” The party demands legal clarification on the mandate’s authority under Article 21 of the Constitution.
Privacy advocates echo these fears. The Internet Freedom Foundation called for rescission on X, citing risks to 730 million devices. In South Asia, where digital adoption surges, this India app privacy breach could set precedents for regional surveillance norms, affecting neighbours like Pakistan and Bangladesh reliant on similar telecom frameworks.
Bharatiya Janata Party spokespersons countered aggressively. Sambit Patra quipped: “Chor ki daadhi mein tinka,” dismissing claims as misinformation from a guilty opposition. He affirmed: “The app cannot read your messages or listen to calls. Sanchar Saathi cannot breach personal data.”
Apple India Cyber Mandate: Tech Giant’s Stance
Apple plans to resist the Apple India cyber mandate, sources told Reuters on 2 December 2025. The firm views preloading as incompatible with iOS privacy standards, raising security issues worldwide. Apple will convey objections to New Delhi, potentially delaying compliance.
Samsung and Xiaomi face similar directives but have not commented publicly. Industry analysts predict pushback, as the order contradicts manufacturer autonomy. One executive noted: “This runs counter to policies in markets like the US and Europe.”
The resistance underscores tensions between national security and tech sovereignty. In India, where Apple invests USD 7 billion in manufacturing, non-compliance risks regulatory hurdles. Yet, yielding could erode user trust globally.
For South Asian consumers, the Apple India cyber mandate saga highlights uneven digital rights enforcement. Pakistan’s PTA and Bangladesh’s BTRC monitor similar apps, but mandatory preloads remain rare, amplifying the story’s cross-border resonance.
Background: Evolution of Sanchar Saathi
Sanchar Saathi traces roots to 2023 telecom reforms. The initial portal targeted fraudulent connections, identifying 40 lakh suspicious links by mid-2024. Mobile app rollout in January 2025 added user-friendly tools, crossing 50 lakh downloads by August.
DoT’s 28 November 2025 order, publicised via PIB, mandates pre-installation to boost adoption. Early metrics show 500 recovered devices in Andaman & Nicobar alone. Critics argue voluntary uptake suffices, citing 1.4 crore users as evidence. This builds on National Broadband Mission 2.0, launched alongside the app, aiming for universal connectivity. However, the India cyber safety app’s mandatory twist shifts focus from empowerment to compulsion.
What’s Next: Parliamentary Showdown and Compliance Deadlines
Parliament reconvenes amid demands for debate on the India cyber safety app. Congress pushes for upper house discussion, with Rahul Gandhi vowing to address surveillance risks. Scindia’s clarifications may ease tensions, but opposition vows sustained pressure. Manufacturers eye 28 March 2026 deadline for reports. Apple’s stance could prompt negotiations or penalties. Privacy groups prepare legal challenges, potentially reaching Supreme Court.
In South Asia, outcomes may influence regional pacts like SAARC digital frameworks. As debates unfold, the Sanchar Saathi mandate tests balances between safety and liberty. The India cyber safety app controversy lingers, with users urged to monitor updates for informed choices.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, December 3rd, 2025
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