Why Indian govt wants smartphone makers to pre-install an app on all devices

December 2, 2025

The Indian government has mandated that smartphone manufacturers pre-install the 'Sanchar Saathi' app on all new devices and update existing ones to enhance cybersecurity. This directive has faced opposition criticism, with concerns raised about potential state surveillance.

Apple Store. AI-generated Image for Representation

Credit: As of now, the Sanchar Sarthi has more than 1.14 crore registrations, with more than 1 crore downloads from Google Playstore, and more than 9.5 lakh downloads from

Key Highlights

The 'Sanchar Saathi' app is developed by the Indian government.
The telecom ministry is requiring its pre-installation on new smartphones.
Existing devices must also receive a software update to include the app.
The app has over 1.14 crore registrations so far.
Opposition leaders express concerns about privacy and surveillance.

India Tech

Sources

Why Indian govt wants smartphone makers to pre-install an app on all devices

This quick summary is automatically generated using AI based on reports from multiple news sources. The content has not been reviewed or verified by humans. For complete details, accuracy, and context, please refer to the original published articles.

Why Indian govt wants smartphone makers to pre-install an app on all devices

Key Highlights

Sources

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