Sanchar Saathi App

Source: NDTV

Subject: Government Scheme

Context: The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has mandated that all smartphones sold from March 2026 must come with the Sanchar Saathi app pre-installed.

About Sanchar Saathi App:

• What it is? Sanchar Saathi is a telecom security and citizen-protection platform offering tools to report fraud, check SIM misuse, and block stolen devices.

• Sanchar Saathi is a telecom security and citizen-protection platform offering tools to report fraud, check SIM misuse, and block stolen devices.

• Developed by: Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Government of India.

• Aim: To safeguard mobile users by enabling identity management, fraud reporting, device verification, and enhancing awareness on telecom and cyber risks.

• Key Features: Fraud & Scam Reporting: Chakshu tool enables reporting of fake KYC alerts, impersonation scams, phishing links and suspicious WhatsApp/SMS messages. SIM & Identity Protection: Users can check all SIMs/ mobile connections linked to their identity to detect unauthorised usage. Lost/Stolen Phone Blocking: Allows IMEI blocking of lost or stolen devices; more than 7 lakh devices recovered since launch. Device Authenticity Verification: Helps confirm whether a handset’s IMEI is genuine or blacklisted, crucial for India’s large second-hand phone market. Reporting Illegally Masked International Calls: Users can report cases where foreign calls appear as +91 numbers, aiding anti-fraud investigations. Reporting Spam & Malicious Links: Enables reporting of telemarketing spam, unsafe APKs, phishing websites and fraudulent apps. Additional Utilities: Local ISP locator, trusted helpline directory, updated awareness material on telecom security.

• Fraud & Scam Reporting: Chakshu tool enables reporting of fake KYC alerts, impersonation scams, phishing links and suspicious WhatsApp/SMS messages.

• SIM & Identity Protection: Users can check all SIMs/ mobile connections linked to their identity to detect unauthorised usage.

• Lost/Stolen Phone Blocking: Allows IMEI blocking of lost or stolen devices; more than 7 lakh devices recovered since launch.

• Device Authenticity Verification: Helps confirm whether a handset’s IMEI is genuine or blacklisted, crucial for India’s large second-hand phone market.

• Reporting Illegally Masked International Calls: Users can report cases where foreign calls appear as +91 numbers, aiding anti-fraud investigations.

• Reporting Spam & Malicious Links: Enables reporting of telemarketing spam, unsafe APKs, phishing websites and fraudulent apps.

• Additional Utilities: Local ISP locator, trusted helpline directory, updated awareness material on telecom security.

• Significance: Strengthens India’s defence against digital fraud, impersonation scams and mobile theft, which affect millions yearly. Helps curb circulation of tampered or cloned IMEIs, a major security threat cited by DoT. Protects buyers in the second-hand mobile market by verifying stolen/blacklisted devices.

• Strengthens India’s defence against digital fraud, impersonation scams and mobile theft, which affect millions yearly.

• Helps curb circulation of tampered or cloned IMEIs, a major security threat cited by DoT.

• Protects buyers in the second-hand mobile market by verifying stolen/blacklisted devices.