The DoT has issued a directive requiring Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) of smartphones to pre-install the ‘Sanchar Saathi’ mobile application on all new devices.
- Timeline: This regulation is effective for devices sold from March 2026.
- Constraint: Manufacturers are strictly prohibited from disabling or restricting the functionalities of the pre-installed application.
Objective: To establish a robust mechanism for verifying the authenticity of the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI), thereby curbing the circulation of counterfeit and blacklisted devices.
Decoding ‘Sanchar Saathi’:
- About: A citizen-centric initiative launched in 2023 to empower mobile subscribers and strengthen the security of the telecom ecosystem.
- Nodal Agency: Developed by C-DoT (Centre for Development of Telematics) under the aegis of the DoT.
- Core Functions:
- Check connections registered in a user’s name.
- Report fraudulent/unwanted connections.
- Block lost/stolen mobile phones.
- Verify the genuineness of a device before purchase (via IMEI).
The “Three Pillars” of the Framework
| Module | Function |
| 1. CEIR (Central Equipment Identity Register) | A centralized system to track and block lost or stolen mobile phones across all networks in India. Once blocked, the phone becomes unusable, discouraging theft. |
| 2. TAFCOP (Telecom Analytics for Fraud Management) | Known as the “Know Your Mobile Connections” module. It allows users to login (via Aadhaar/Mobile) to see how many SIMs are active in their name and block unauthorized ones. |
| 3. ASTR (AI & Facial Recognition Solution) | Artificial Intelligence and Facial Recognition powered Solution for Telecom SIM Subscriber Verification. It detects fraudulent SIMs issued using forged documents by analyzing subscriber databases. |
Why is the Government Pushing This?
- Curbing ‘Digital Arrests’: The app aims to plug security gaps exploited by cybercriminals, such as “digital arrest” scams where victims are coerced via video calls.
- Combating IMEI Spoofing:
- The Problem: Fraudsters often “clone” or spoof IMEIs, leading to situations where the same IMEI is active on hundreds of devices simultaneously. This makes tracking difficult.
- The Solution: The app will verify hardware identifiers to ensure the device is genuine and not blacklisted.
- SIM Binding: The DoT is also emphasizing SIM-binding, ensuring that messaging apps (like WhatsApp) only work if the SIM card is physically present in the device, preventing remote account hijacking.
Privacy Stance
- The DoT has clarified that the app does not collect user data.
- Its primary focus is on device authenticity and telecom resource management, not surveillance.
What is IMEI?
- Full Form: International Mobile Equipment Identity.
- Nature: A unique 15-digit code that precisely identifies the device (hardware).
- Dual SIMs: If a phone has two SIM slots, it will have two unique IMEI numbers.
- Global Registry: IMEI numbers are managed globally by the GSMA (Global System for Mobile Communications Association).
