The Indian government's recent directive, mandating the pre-installation of the Sanchar Saathi application on all mobile handsets, has ignited a significant debate around digital privacy and economic policy. Announced as a measure to bolster cyber security, the order requires manufacturers to embed the app in a non-deletable format, a move critics label as coercive and potentially damaging to India's business-friendly image.
Privacy at Stake: The Core of the Controversy
At the heart of the issue is the fundamental right to user consent. The government's directive, issued to handset makers, stipulated that the Sanchar Saathi app should come pre-loaded and that users should not be able to remove it. This effectively turns the application into a permanent fixture on every device. While Union Minister for Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia later clarified that the app is "optional" and deletable, privacy advocates argue this is insufficient.
The principle of consent is based on actively opting in, not being forced to opt out. Pre-installation erodes this choice, raising legitimate fears of state surveillance and intrusion into personal digital space. Even if deleted, concerns linger about residual "digital dust" or data traces that may remain on the device or network.
Economic Implications and Industry Pushback
The mandate also poses a threat to India's thriving mobile manufacturing sector. India has become a global hub for smartphone production, with one in three smartphones imported by the US now originating from here. Major players like Apple, which has relocated roughly 20% of its global iPhone production capacity to India, have benefited from incentives like the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme.
Forcing such a diktat on manufacturers contradicts the government's own 'ease of doing business' initiatives. Reports indicate that several device makers are planning to formally oppose the directive, potentially setting the stage for a legal battle. The government risks undermining a key economic success story by introducing unpredictable and heavy-handed regulation.
A Question of Method: Are There Better Alternatives?
There is no disputing the need to combat cyber crime. Launched in January 2025, the Sanchar Saathi app has shown utility. It allows users to report fraudulent communications and lost or stolen phones, and verify contact details of banks. By August 2025, it had seen over 50 lakh downloads and facilitated the blocking of more than 37.28 lakh devices and the tracing of 22.76 lakh others.
However, India has a proven track record of building widely adopted digital public goods through voluntary use. Platforms like DigiLocker and DigiYatra are used by millions based on trust and clear utility, not compulsion. Experts argue that strengthening state capacity and running public awareness campaigns about cyber threats and available tools are more effective and rights-respecting methods to drive adoption.
Before the dispute escalates to the courts, there is a strong case for the government to rescind the order. Fostering a digital ecosystem built on trust and voluntary participation, rather than mandate, will better serve both citizens and the economy in the long run.
