Sanchar Saathi App: Surveillance Tool or Government Security Service for India’s Mobile Users?
Sanchar Saathi is primarily a government security service designed to protect Indian mobile users from fraud, theft, and unauthorized connections, rather than a surveillance tool.
The app, launched by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), offers tools like Chakshu for reporting suspicious calls, SMS, or WhatsApp messages linked to cybercrimes. Users can check mobile connections registered in their name, verify handset genuineness via IMEI, and block or trace lost/stolen devices across all telecom networks. It promotes citizen participation by enabling quick reports that help authorities disconnect fraudulent connections and recover devices.
Since its portal launch in 2023 and app in 2025, Sanchar Saathi has over 50 lakh downloads, recovered 7 lakh+ lost devices, and shut down 30 million suspicious connections. The government now mandates its pre-installation on new smartphones to enhance cyber safety. No official sources describe it as enabling mass surveillance; instead, it focuses on user-initiated actions and traceability for blocked devices only.
While the app collects IMEI and connection data for fraud prevention, concerns about data usage persist among privacy advocates, though DoT emphasizes transparency via public dashboards. Users retain control over reporting and blocking, aligning with its “Jan Bhagidari” citizen-centric model rather than proactive monitoring.
