The government has clarified that the Sanchar Saathi app is optional despite DoT preload guidelines, allowing users to freely uninstall it while Apple reportedly plans to oppose the directive.
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) recently created a stir after issuing guidelines directing smartphone manufacturers to preload the Sanchar Saathi app on new devices and ensure it remains fully functional. Initial reports suggested that the app could not be disabled or uninstalled, raising concerns about user privacy and device freedom.
However, the government has now officially clarified that installing or keeping the Sanchar Saathi app on a smartphone is completely optional. Users will retain full control to activate, deactivate, or even remove the app from their devices at any time.
This clarification comes at a time when a Reuters report suggests that Apple may refuse to comply with the government’s preload directive due to potential privacy and security implications within the iOS ecosystem.
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Government Clarification: Sanchar Saathi App Is Optional
Addressing reporters outside Parliament on Tuesday, Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia cleared the confusion around the app’s installation requirements.
The minister stated that:
“You can activate or deactivate it at your own will… If you don’t want Sanchar Saathi, you can delete it. It’s optional.”
This statement directly contradicts earlier interpretations of the DoT guidelines, which some believed required OEMs to preload a non-removable version of the app on all phones.
Scindia also dismissed rumors about privacy risks, calling them “misconceptions.”
He clarified that the Sanchar Saathi app does not monitor calls, track usage, or enable any form of snooping. Instead, it is designed purely to enhance user safety and prevent cyber fraud.
What the Earlier DoT Directive Actually Required
On Monday, media reports revealed that the DoT had instructed OEMs to:
Preload the Sanchar Saathi app on all new devices
Make it visible and functional during the initial setup process
Ensure its features remain active and unrestricted
Install it even on existing smartphones via software updates
Implement the directive within 90 days
Submit a compliance report within 120 days
These instructions created confusion because they didn’t specify whether the app should remain permanently installed.
The government’s clarification now confirms that installation can be mandated, but retention is optional — users can delete the app anytime.
Why Is the Government Doing This?
India has seen a massive surge in cybercrime, fraudulent calls, phishing scams, and online financial fraud. Digital fraudsters have become smarter—and the losses faced by common users have increased.
The government believes that Sanchar Saathi can act as a powerful first line of defence.
What Is The Sanchar Saathi App ? & What the App Offers ?
Sanchar Saathi is not just another utility app—it’s designed as a national cybersecurity and consumer protection tool. Its key functions include:
1. The Chakshu Portal
A dedicated feature that allows users to report:
Suspicious or fraudulent calls
Scam SMS
Fake WhatsApp messages
Numbers involved in cybercrime
2. Lost/Stolen Phone Tracking
Users can:
Block their stolen phone across all telecom networks
Track its status
Unblock it once recovered
According to government data, the platform has already helped recover over 700,000 lost phones, including 50,000 in October alone—a huge achievement for a relatively new system.
3. Know Your Mobile Connections
The app also enables users to:
View all mobile numbers registered under their name
Report numbers they no longer use
Remove unauthorized or fraudulent connections
This directly helps reduce identity misuse and SIM-based scams.
Sanchar Saathi’s Impact So Far
Despite the controversy, the government highlighted the platform’s effectiveness in combating digital fraud and theft.
According to Minister Scindia:
17.5 million fraudulent mobile connections have been disconnected through government-backed cybersecurity tools
Nearly 2 million stolen mobile phones have been traced
750,000 phones have been successfully recovered and returned to their original owners
The Sanchar Saathi app includes features such as the Chakshu portal for reporting scam calls/SMS, stolen phone tracking, and checking active mobile connections registered under a user’s name.
Apple Reportedly Plans to Oppose the Directive
In a parallel development, Reuters reported that Apple is unlikely to comply with the DoT’s preload requirement.
According to sources familiar with the matter:
Apple believes the directive could introduce security and privacy vulnerabilities in the tightly controlled iOS ecosystem
The company has never complied with similar preload demands in other markets
Apple will not take a public stand or legal action, but it will privately inform the government that it cannot implement the order
Other brands like Samsung are currently reviewing the directive before taking a final call.
What Happens Next?
With the government’s clarification now public, here’s what users can expect:
Sanchar Saathi may still come pre-installed on new phones
Users can freely uninstall or disable the app at any time
OEMs must still ensure the app is accessible during setup, as per DoT guidelines
Apple may seek exemption due to iOS architecture
Other Android brands may follow the updated interpretation and allow uninstalling
This update brings much-needed transparency for smartphone users, balancing consumer freedom with the government’s mission to strengthen digital security in India.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is based on details first reported by official sources and publicly available news, including Google News. We have adapted and rewritten the content for clarity, SEO optimization, and reader experience. All trademarks and images belong to their respective owners.
