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Government Makes ‘Sanchar Saathi’ App Mandatory on All New Smartphones
The Ministry of Telecommunications has mandated that all new smartphones be pre-installed with the "Sanchar Sathi" app to help locate stolen phones and prevent cybercrime. It will also be installed on older phones via an update. This move aims to address the threat posed by duplicate IMEI numbers. However, privacy concerns are being raised.
The Ministry of Telecommunications has instructed smartphone manufacturers to compulsorily preload the government cybersecurity app "Sanchar Sathi" on all new mobile phones launched within the next 90 days. It also needs to make sure users are unable to delete the app from their phones. The Ministry has also called for installing the app on existing phones through a software update.
The government says that with the help of 'Sanchar Saathi', more than seven lakh lost or stolen mobile phones have been traced since January, out of which about 50 thousand phones were recovered in the month of October alone. According to the ministry, cyber risks associated with duplicate or fake IMEI numbers pose a "serious threat" to the country's telecommunications system, leading to a surge in fraud, network abuse, and cybercrimes. Privacy concerns have been raised by privacy advocacy organizations and tech companies. Previously, companies like Apple, Samsung, Vivo, Oppo, and Xiaomi had objected to a government anti-spam app.
Digital rights expert Mishi Chaudhary said the government's move bypasses user consent, which is worrying. Counterpoint Research Director Tarun Pathak suggested that instead of mandating the app's pre-installation, the government should encourage users to adopt it to strike a balance between privacy and security.
The Sanchar Saathi app is based on a central registry. It allows users to report suspicious calls, check IMEI numbers, and block stolen or lost phones. It also helps them identify and disconnect fraudulent mobile connections. It also helps.
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The government says this app is playing a major role in preventing cyber threats, locating stolen phones, and preventing counterfeit phones from entering the market. Currently, it's available for voluntary download on the Apple and Google Play stores, but it will now be mandatory for new phones.
Every mobile handset has a unique 14- to 17-digit number called the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI). This number is a unique identification number for any phone and is used for measures like blocking network access and location tracking in the event of theft.
