The Department of Telecommunications’ Sanchar Saathi initiative — a citizen-facing portal and mobile app designed to help Indian subscribers protect themselves from telecom fraud, check handset genuineness and block lost or stolen phones — has rapidly become a central tool in the government’s telecom-security push. Launched first as a portal in May 2023 and later released as a mobile app in January 2025, Sanchar Saathi now offers features ranging from IMEI verification to a dedicated fraud-reporting tool called Chakshu. The platform has recorded millions of users and been credited with helping block or trace hundreds of thousands of devices.
What Sanchar Saathi does — the features at a glance
Sanchar Saathi is available both as a web portal and as a mobile app for Android and iOS. Key services advertised on the portal and in official releases include:
- Check mobile connections in your name — subscribers can see how many connections are registered using their identity and report any unrecognized lines.
- Block lost or stolen handsets (CEIR services) — users can register a request to block the device by IMEI; the portal links into the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) services for blocking and tracking.
- Verify IMEI / check handset genuineness — prospective buyers can check a phone’s 15-digit IMEI to detect counterfeit or tampered devices.
- Chakshu — report suspected fraud — an easy reporting route for suspicious calls, SMS and other telecom fraud attempts.
The app’s privacy policy explains the device permissions it requires (call logs, SMS send/receive for registration via the government short code, camera for IMEI scanning, file uploads for evidence, etc.), and the portal provides step-by-step guidance for CEIR blocking and checking request status.
Adoption and outcomes so far
According to official communications, the Sanchar Saathi portal and app have seen substantial usage: the portal—launched in mid-2023—reported crores of visits and large numbers of fraudulent connection disconnections, and the app (launched January 17, 2025) crossed the 5-million download mark by August 2025. Government releases also say the platform has helped block and trace many hundreds of thousands of lost or stolen handsets. These figures underline the rapid uptake and the operational role the system now plays in combating telecom fraud in India.
The recent pre-installation directive and why it matters
In late November 2025 the Ministry of Communications issued a directive asking smartphone manufacturers to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app on new devices sold in India and to push it to existing devices via software updates. Reports indicate the government asked OEMs to ensure the app comes preloaded and is available on devices within a set time frame. Officials framed the move as an attempt to broaden citizen access to key telecom-security services — especially IMEI checks and device-blocking functions — and to make it easier for users to report fraud quickly.
Why authorities say pre-installation helps
Proponents argue pre-installation increases reach to less tech-savvy users, ensures immediate availability of CEIR blocking tools at the moment a device is lost or stolen, and enhances national efforts to curb IMEI tampering and fraudulent connections — problems that have both consumer-safety and law-enforcement implications. The government points to the portal/app’s prior success metrics (visits, blocked devices, traced devices) in support of wider rollout.
Privacy, consent and industry concerns
The pre-install order has triggered immediate debate. Digital-rights advocates, privacy experts and some industry watchers have warned that mandatory, non-removable preinstallation can erode user control over devices and set a precedent for state software to be embedded on consumer hardware. Critics highlight potential risks around data handling, unintended background activity, and the difficulty of auditing or removing government apps that are marked as undeletable. Major global platform vendors like Apple typically resist non-removable third-party apps on their devices, which could create friction in implementation.
The Sanchar Saathi privacy policy lists the permissions required by the app and the stated purposes for each (for example, camera access to scan IMEI barcodes, SMS permissions to complete registration through the DoT shortcode 14422). Even with documented uses, privacy advocates note that policy documents do not eliminate practical concerns about what data is collected, how long it is retained, and who can access it. They call for transparent data-protection safeguards, independent audits and clear notice to users.
Possible industry responses and implementation challenges
Smartphone manufacturers and platform owners will face a choice between complying (preloading and rolling out updates) and challenging the directive in negotiations or courts if they argue it conflicts with platform rules or user-control principles. Implementation issues include ensuring compatibility across Android OEM custom skins, coordinating updates to older devices, and addressing iOS distribution constraints where Apple controls the App Store and preinstalled software tightly. Observers also expect operational questions: whether the app will be truly non-removable, how it will be updated, and how manufacturers should present it to users.
What consumers should know and do now
- If you buy a phone: You can still check IMEI genuineness and the number of connections in your name via the Sanchar Saathi portal (sancharsaathi.gov.in) or the app on Play Store / App Store. Use the CEIR services to block a lost/stolen device.
- If you suspect telecom fraud: Use the Chakshu or report options on the portal/app to file complaints and flag suspicious communications.
- Be mindful of permissions: Review the app’s permissions and privacy policy; only grant those required for the function you need, and keep evidence of suspicious calls or SMS if you intend to report them.
Bottom line
Sanchar Saathi has quickly become a central tool in the government’s effort to protect mobile subscribers from fraud, counterfeit handsets and unauthorized connections. The platform’s rapid uptake and measurable outcomes make a persuasive case for its usefulness. At the same time, the government’s recent move to mandate pre-installation raises legitimate questions about user consent, device autonomy and state presence on consumer devices. How those tensions are resolved — through technical implementation, regulatory safeguards, independent oversight or litigation — will determine the long-term balance between stronger telecom security and the protection of digital privacy for India’s mobile users.
Also read:Empowering India’s Youth through Digital Entrepreneurship: Utkarsh Bhandarkar’s Mission
Last Updated on: Tuesday, December 2, 2025 1:11 pm by Sakethyadav | Published by: Sakethyadav on Tuesday, December 2, 2025 1:11 pm | News Categories: General, India
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