Is Sanchar Saathi App Mandatory? Union Minister Explains

Sanchar Saathi App: Union Minister for Communications, Jyotiraditya Scindia, has emphasized that users can deactivate the Sanchar Saathi app from their devices. “You can remove Sanchar Saathi if you don’t want it,” he said. It is optional… Introducing this app to everyone is our responsibility. Keeping it in their devices or not, is up to the user”. This announcement follows the Department of Telecommunications’ (DoT) directive to all importers and makers of mobile phones to make sure that Sanchar Saathi, its fraud reporting application, is pre-installed in all new handsets within ninety days.

The official order from the DoT reads: “The central government hereby directs every manufacturer and importer of mobile handsets that are intended for use in India… from 90 days of issue of these instructions, ensure that the Sanchar Saathi mobile application, as specified by DoT, is pre-installed on all mobile handsets manufactured or imported for use in India”. This instruction applies to major businesses that presently manufacture their phones in India, such as Apple, Samsung, Google, Vivo, Oppo, and Xiaomi.

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Government Rules and Enforcement on Sanchar Saathi App:

1. Existing Devices: For devices already made and in sales channels in India, producers and importers must deliver the Sanchar Saathi app to these devices through software updates.

2. Compliance Reports: Within 120 days of the directives’ publication, all producers and importers of mobile phones are required to submit compliance reports to the DoT.

3. User Visibility: The DoT has also directed mobile phone companies to make sure that end customers can easily see and utilize the pre-installed Sanchar Saathi app during device setup or initial usage, and that its features are not limited or disabled.

4. Penalties: According to the Telecommunications Act 2023, the Telecom Cyber Security Rules 2024, and other relevant laws, businesses that do not comply shall be subject to action.