The Indian government’s directive for smartphone manufacturers to install a state-run cyber safety app on all new devices has ignited a political debate, sparking concerns over potential government surveillance in the world’s largest democracy.
The app, named Sanchar Saathi, or Communication Partner, is at the heart of this controversy involving tech giants like Apple, Samsung, and Xiaomi. They have a 90-day deadline to adhere to the mandate.
What does Sanchar Saathi offer?
Available on both Apple and Android platforms, Sanchar Saathi is marketed as a user-focused safety application.
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With this app, users can block and locate lost or stolen phones using the device’s unique International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI).
It also allows users to verify how many mobile connections are under their name to identify and cut off fraudulent numbers often used in scams.
Other features include the ability to report suspected scam calls and check the authenticity of used devices before purchasing.
What’s the new mandate?
On November 28, India’s telecom department discreetly instructed all smartphone makers to pre-install the app on their new devices, requiring it to be “visible, functional, and enabled” upon initial setup. Reuters was the first to report this news on Monday.
The directive also mandates that manufacturers ensure users cannot disable or limit the app’s functions.
For already-produced devices, companies must install the app through software updates.
An industry insider with direct knowledge of the matter indicated that software updates would eventually roll out the app to existing users, potentially reaching over 735 million people.
The government argues the mandate is crucial to tackle the “severe threat” to telecommunications security from IMEI manipulation.
Sanchar Saathi in numbers, data collection
The Indian authorities report the app has been downloaded over 10 million times, helping to block more than 4.2 million lost or stolen phones and disconnecting over 30 million fraudulent mobile connections.
The government states the app “does not automatically collect any personal data from users without notification within the application.”
The privacy policy outlines that iPhone users will be asked for permissions to access cameras, photos, and files for specific functions.
For Android, users will be requested to share call logs, send messages for registration, manage phone calls “to identify mobile numbers on your phone,” and grant access to cameras and photos.
Concerns have been raised by Apple regarding privacy and security vulnerabilities, according to Reuters. Counterpoint Research notes that over 95% of Indian smartphones operate on Google’s Android, with the remainder on Apple’s iOS.
Government logic; public, political response
According to the Indian government, criminals frequently clone or spoof legitimate IMEI numbers onto stolen devices, making it difficult to track or block these devices.
India, with its vast second-hand phone market, also aims to prevent the purchase of stolen or blacklisted devices.
This mandate has become a hot topic on local television and social media, facing strong criticism from privacy defenders and opposition parties.
The main opposition party, Congress, has called for the mandate to be reversed, labeling it unconstitutional.
The Internet Freedom Foundation, an advocate for free speech rights, announced on X that it will “oppose this directive until it is overturned.”
