Indian government mandates tracking app on all mobile devices

On December 2, the Indian government announced the launch of a new tracking application, set to be preinstalled on every mobile device manufactured or imported for use within the country, raising significant privacy concerns nationwide. The application, named Sanchar Saathi, aims to combat phone theft, illegal device imports, and call center scams.

Priyanka Gandhi, general secretary of the Congress Party, criticized the app on X, describing it as a surveillance tool and warning about the thin boundary between preventing fraud and monitoring the activities of every citizen.

According to the apps privacy policy, Sanchar Saathi has the ability to make and manage phone calls, send messages, access call and message histories, view photos and files, and use the devices camera. The Internet Freedom Foundation highlighted that this effectively turns all smartphones sold in India into instruments running mandatory state software that users cannot easily remove or control.

Jyotiraditya Scindia, Indias communications minister, stated the app is intended to protect users from fraud and theft, and that installation is "completely optional." He assured that individuals who do not wish to use the app can avoid registering and can uninstall it at any time.

However, the apps capabilities cannot actually be disabled or restricted. The government has mandated that phone manufacturers ensure the apps functions remain fully operational on all devices. This comes amid rising concerns about cybersecurity, with the government reporting 2.3 million cyber incidents last year, more than double the number recorded two years prior. Fraud remains the most common issue, with a government portal tracking losses totaling $2.6 billion in 2024.

The Department of Telecommunications noted that Indias large second-hand mobile market often sees stolen or blacklisted devices resold. Consequently, all telecom companies have been instructed to submit compliance reports within 120 days.

Author: Natalie Monroe