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Sanchar Saathi

In a bold stand against government overreach, Apple is pushing back on India’s latest telecom directive, refusing to preload the state-owned Sanchar Saathi app on its iPhones.

The move, revealed today, highlights a growing rift between Big Tech’s privacy ethos and New Delhi‘s push for mandatory digital safeguards.

As India’s 1.2 billion mobile users grapple with surging scams, this standoff could reshape how global firms navigate local regulations.

What Is Sanchar Saathi?

Launched in January 2025 by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Sanchar Saathi, meaning “Communication Companion,” is a free utility app designed to protect users from telecom fraud and device theft.

Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play, it offers practical tools:

Chakshu: Report suspicious calls or messages to flag fraud in real-time.
Device Blocking: Utilize the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) to lock lost or stolen phones across the nation.
Connection Checker: Verify all mobile numbers linked to your identity to spot unauthorized SIMs.
IMEI Verification: Confirm if your handset is genuine or blocked.
International Call Alerts: Report spoofed foreign numbers masquerading as Indian ones.

Since its rollout, the app has experienced explosive adoption, with 14 million downloads and 210 million web portal visits, helping recover thousands of stolen devices and disconnect over 5 million fraudulent connections.

Telecom Minister Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani hailed it as a “citizen-centric shield” against cyber threats, which cost Indians over ₹10,000 crore ($1.2 billion) in 2024 alone.

The Controversial Mandate

On November 28, DoT issued a confidential order to major manufacturers, Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi, Vivo, Oppo, and others, requiring Sanchar Saathi to be pre-installed on all new smartphones sold in India.

Key stipulations include:

Timeline: Full compliance is expected within 90 days. Updates for existing stock will be implemented via software updates.
Non-Removable: Users cannot uninstall the app, ensuring “universal access” to safety features.
Rationale: With many unaware of voluntary downloads, the government argues that preloading democratizes protection for vulnerable users, like rural elders targeted by scams.

However, the order, leaked Monday, ignited a firestorm.

Opposition leaders, including Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, decried it as “compulsory surveillance in a democracy.”

Privacy advocates warn that the app’s broad permissions, which include access to contacts, calls, and location, could enable mass tracking, echoing global concerns over state apps like China’s health trackers.

Apple’s Defiance And Industry Ripple Effects

Apple, which is expected to command 4.5% of India’s 735 million smartphone market by mid-2025, is leading the resistance.

Sources tell Reuters that the iPhone maker views the mandate as a red line, citing risks to iOS security and user trust, which are core to its $100 billion services empire.

“Apple does not preload third-party apps anywhere,” one insider noted, referencing past clashes over anti-spam tools.

The company plans to meet with the DoT to negotiate alternatives, such as in-app prompts for downloads, without altering iOS’s closed ecosystem.

Android giants like Samsung and Xiaomi, which benefit from the flexibility of open-source software, are reviewing the order but face easier compliance.

Still, X (formerly Twitter) buzz shows user frustration: “This is not safety, it is spying normalized,” one post lamented, amassing hundreds of likes.

Broader Implications: Security vs. Freedom

This is not just a tech tussle; it is a litmus test for India’s digital ambitions. Proponents point to Sanchar Saathi’s successes: over 1.4 crore users empowered, according to ministerial data.

However, critics, including digital rights groups, argue that opt-in tools are sufficient, and forced installations erode consent in the world’s largest democracy.

For Apple, success here could embolden similar stances globally, from EU data laws to U.S. antitrust probes.

In India, it risks fines or market friction, but yielding might alienate its privacy-focused base.

As talks unfold, expect nudges over mandates, perhaps a “recommended” app banner in Settings.

One Insight: In a post-scam era, blending voluntary education with tech guardrails could win without coercion.

Until then, savvy users: Download Sanchar Saathi manually if it meets your needs; it has a rating of 4.8 stars for ease of use.

Stay vigilant; your next call could save you a significant amount of money.