Sanchar Saathi Mandatory on New Smartphones: DoT Issues 90-Day Compliance Order
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In a significant move aimed at strengthening digital security and consumer protection, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has directed smartphone manufacturers to preload the Sanchar Saathi app on all new devices sold in the Indian market. The order issued on November 28 grants a 90-day compliance window to leading global and domestic brands including Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi, Vivo, Oppo, and others . This enforcement marks a major shift in India’s telecom regulatory landscape by making cybersecurity tools an integral part of hardware distribution. The Sanchar Saathi platform, developed by the DoT, is designed to provide centralized control over stolen phones, fraudulent SIM activity, spam and scam prevention, and digital identity protection. With smartphone dependency expanding into payments, identity management, healthcare, and essential services, the government cites public security as the primary justification for the policy. Aimed at Combating Device Theft and Cyber Fr...