What Is the Sanchar Saathi App? Now Mandatory on All New Phones

Sanchar Saathi App: A new mandate from the Ministry of Telecommunications requires all major smartphone manufacturers, such as Apple, Samsung, Vivo, and Oppo, to pre-install the government-owned cybersecurity program Sanchar Saathi on all new smartphones.

The order gives smartphone manufacturers ninety days to comply. Importantly, the regulation also stipulates that the application must be installed so that users are unable to disable it.

What is the Sanchar Saathi App?

Sanchar Sathi is an updated version of a government website that was introduced in May 2023. Earlier this year, in January, the Department of Telecommunications also created a mobile app for both Android and iOS smartphones. This software is aimed at aiding users in dealing with and reporting concerns related to mobile phone fraud and theft.

Important Functions from this App:

1. Ban Theft/Loss: Users can ban lost or stolen mobile phones across all telecom networks in the country with this software. It also enables law enforcement agents to trace the location of a restricted phone should it be used anywhere in India.

2. Chakshu Feature: Allows users to report fraudulent calls, SMS, or WhatsApp communications straight to the police.

3. Manage Connections: Users can check all mobile numbers registered under their name and report any unfamiliar or illegal connections.

4. Know Your Mobile (KYM): This function enables consumers to confirm the legitimacy of their smartphones.

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To Reduce Cybersecurity Threats & Online Scams:

By preloading the Sanchar Sathi app on all major smartphone manufacturers, the government is supposedly seeking to tackle the huge telecom cybersecurity threat posed by duplicate or false IMEI numbers, which allegedly permit large-scale scams and network misuse.

According to the Telecommunications Act of 2023, attempting to alter a mobile phone’s vital identification number, such as the 15-digit IMEI number, is a serious offense. This can lead to penalties including up to three years in prison and fines reaching as much as 50 lakh rupees, or even both.

Furthermore, mobile phone companies have been directed by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to ensure that Sanchar Sathi is simple to locate and utilize from the time you set up your phone. To assist consumers, this software ought to function flawlessly.