Key takeaways: The Indian government has ordered smartphone manufacturers to pre-load the Sanchar Saathi app on newly manufactured or imported devices.
The app requires extensive permissions like viewing call logs, reading and sending SMS, camera access, and altering device storage, all of which are pretty intrusive in nature.
The government later clarified that users can delete the app if they do not want to use it, which seems to be in contradiction with the written directive.
This has raised privacy concerns and a threat to freedom of speech as the app can act as a state surveillance tool for millions of Indians.
The Indian Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has issued a private directive to mobile phone manufacturers to preload the Sanchar Saathi app on all mobile handsets manufactured or imported for use in India. The directive requires the app to be readily visible and accessible to the end user at the time of first use or device setup.
What’s really concerning is the government requesting these manufacturers that the app must not be disabled or restricted, meaning you cannot uninstall it. For devices that have already been sold and are in use, manufacturers are required to push the app through software updates.
The Sanchar Saathi app isn’t a new development in itself. It has existed on both the Apple App Store and the Android Play Store for quite some time now, with 15 million downloads so far.
Marketed as a citizen-centric safety tool, the app allows users to track lost or stolen mobile phones through its International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number. Users can use it to check how many mobile connections are registered in their name, which in turn helps locate and prevent the fraudulent use of mobile numbers.
How is Sanchar Saathi Intrusive
To understand why the Sanchar Saathi app is a privacy nightmare, let’s break down its functions. First, it can remotely block your stolen or lost handset through its IMEI number. IMEI is a unique code tied to every smartphone in India. Your IMEI number is permanent as long as you’re using the same smartphone. This data is then stored in the government’s CEIR database (Central Equipment Identity Register), tying a particular device to your identity.
... continue reading