Government Ends Mandatory Pre-Installation of Sanchar Saathi App Amid Rising Public Adoption & Confidence
(By Syed Ali Taher Abedi)
Delhi,3, December,2025: In a significant policy shift announced on December 3, 2025, the Government has decided to withdraw the mandate requiring mobile phone manufacturers to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app on all smartphones. This decision comes as the app, designed to enhance cyber security for citizens and prevent fraud, achieves widespread voluntary adoption nationwide.
Launched with the vision of empowering citizens against cyber threats, Sanchar Saathi was initially mandated for pre-installation to broaden its reach, especially targeting segments of the population less aware of digital security tools. The government emphasized that the app serves exclusively to protect users from “bad actors” in the cyber realm and facilitates public participation—referred to officially as “Jan Bhagidari”—in identifying and reporting fraudulent activities, all while safeguarding user privacy.
Official statistics reveal that over 1.4 crore users have already downloaded the app, contributing critical information that has helped detect approximately 2,000 fraud incidents daily. This surge in citizen engagement underscores the app’s pivotal role in national cyber security efforts. Remarkably, just in the last 24 hours, around 6 lakh new users have voluntarily registered for the app—a tenfold increase from previous daily figures—highlighting growing public trust and reliance on this initiative.
In a detailed statement, government officials clarified that while the app was initially pre-installed to accelerate user uptake, there is no compulsion to retain it; users may uninstall the app at their discretion without any compromise to their device functionality or personal freedom. This transparent communication helped quell concerns regarding privacy and autonomy that had been raised by sections of the public and civil society.
The decision to remove the mandatory pre-installation requirement is widely seen as a balanced response to public feedback, ensuring greater respect for consumer choice while affirming the government’s commitment to cybersecurity. Legal analysts note that this move aligns with constitutional safeguards on user privacy and reflects a maturing approach to digital governance in India.
Public opinion mirrors this nuanced stance. Cybersecurity experts commend the government’s proactive approach in deploying technological tools to combat fraud, while user advocacy groups applaud the respect accorded to individual agency in app installation decisions. However, some privacy activists argue for continuous vigilance and transparency to prevent mission creep beyond the declared limits of Sanchar Saathi’s functions.
As India’s digital landscape expands, Sanchar Saathi’s evolving adoption and regulatory framings present a landmark case study in balancing state duty, technological intervention, and citizens’ rights—a dynamic that the judiciary and policymakers alike will monitor closely in the times ahead.
