Sanchar Saathi app to be pre-installed on all phones sold in India: DoT

New Delhi: The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has issued directions mandating the pre-installation of the Sanchar Saathi mobile application on all mobile handsets manufactured or imported for use in India. As per the notification, the manufacturers and importers must ensure that the Sanchar Saathi app should be clearly visible and accessible to users during the first use or device setup, and its key functions should not be hidden, disabled or restricted.

The devices which are already manufactured and currently in the sales pipeline, companies have been asked to push the application through software updates. A 90-day deadline for the implementation has been set up by DoT, and has directed the manufacturers and importers to submit compliance reports within 120-days.
 

The Telecom Cyber Security (TCS) Rules authorized the central government to issue directions to manufacturers of equipment bearing IMEI numbers to support investigations involving tampered or fraudulent devices. The rules also require manufacturers and importers to ensure full compliance with directions issued by the government.

Sanchar Saathi is an initiative of the Department of Telecommunications to curb cyber-enabled telecom fraud and strengthen cyber security in the communications sector. The portal and app allow citizens to verify handset authenticity using the IMEI number, report fraudulent communications, block lost or stolen phones, check active mobile connections under their name, and access trusted contact details of banks and financial institutions.