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Sanchar Saathi faces major setback concerns
Sanchar Saathi faces major setback concerns
Context: The debate around mandatory preloading of the Sanchar Saathi app has intensified after several global smartphone makers, including Apple, refused to comply with the government’s directive.
What is Sanchar Saathi?
- Sanchar Saathi is a citizen-safety platform developed by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to curb mobile-related fraud.
- Its tools—CEIR (Central Equipment Identity Register), TAFCOP, and Know Your Mobile (KYM)—enable users to block/track lost phones using IMEI, identify all mobile connections linked to their name, verify second-hand devices, and report suspected scam calls.
- According to DoT data (2024–25), the platform has blocked over 10 million lost devices and helped trace more than 2 million, strengthening digital trust in telecom services.
Why was it introduced?
- Rising digital frauds: India has seen a surge in cyber and telecom fraud complaints, with the Indian Cyber Crime Reporting Portal recording over 1 lakh digital financial fraud complaints monthly.
- Regulatory need for device tracking: The Economic Survey 2023–24 highlighted an increase in mobile penetration to over 93%, making device security integral to citizen safety.
- Curbing illegal mobile connections: TAFCOP was introduced after multiple cases where criminals used SIMs issued under fake identities (e.g., the 2023 pan-India fake SIM crackdown, where over 1.5 lakh illegal SIMs were deactivated).
Thus, Sanchar Saathi provides a unified, government-backed mechanism to secure devices and identity-linked mobile services.
What are the major concerns associated with it?
- Privacy apprehensions: OEMs and civil society groups fear that mandatory preloading may lead to a perception of surveillance, even though the app collects only device information (IMEI).
- Data security and trust deficit: With no statutory data protection architecture until the Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023 is fully operationalised, users remain cautious about the government’s handling of device data.
- OEM reluctance: Global manufacturers argue that forced pre-installation violates user choice and global standards of bloatware minimisation.
- Implementation challenges: Ensuring uniform software updates for older devices and compliance by all brands may create technical and logistical friction.
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The Source’s Authority and Ownership of the Article is Claimed By THE STUDY IAS BY MANIKANT SINGH
