Nowadays life is incomplete without mobile, but when this phone is stolen or lost somewhere then the problem increases a lot. For this reason the government has taken a new step. This step is to make it mandatory to install Sanchar Sathi app in every phone. This app is being discussed a lot in the last two days because the government had said that this app will be pre-installed in every new smartphone and this app will come in old phones through software update. However, now this order has been withdrawn.

Some people were relieved that this app would increase the security of their phones, but some people were worried as to why they were forcefully installing an app asking for so many permissions on the phone. In such a situation, let us know which permissions the Sanchar Saathi app asks for to become active in the phone.
What exactly is Sanchar Sathi App?

Sanchar Sathi is a government app developed by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Government of India. Its job is to keep your phone safe, like blocking the IMEI of your phone if it is stolen, checking how your phone is, real or fake, showing how many mobile numbers are running in your name, helping in reporting spam or fraud calls, helping the police to track stolen phones, it is the security guard of your phone.

What permissions does Sanchar Sathi app ask for?

1. Permission to read call logs – When you report a fraud call or scam in the app, the app needs to know from which number the call came. While reporting, the number gets filled automatically and the user does not need to enter the number manually.

2. Telephone, Make & Manage Calls Permission to manage calls – The app has to read the correct IMEI number and active mobile number of your phone. Without this the app cannot do its real work.

3. Permission to read or send SMS – During registration, OTP comes to verify the phone number. The app reads the same automatically and completes the verification.

4. Storage Access Photos, Videos, Files – If your phone is stolen and you report through the app, many times you have to upload documents, screenshots or proof related to identity. So the app needs access to select your files.

5. Camera Permission – Many phones have a barcode of IMEI number. A camera is required to scan it, that is, the camera is used only for scanning, not for taking your photo or video.

6.Flashlight Permission: Permission to use torch – Torch can be used for barcode scanning or capturing some documents.

7. Run Foreground Service and Run at Startup – If the phone is stolen, the app has to remain running in the background so that phone tracking, IMEI block requests can be processed immediately.

8. Network Access – The app has to check the IMEI number and status of the phone with the CEIR server (government database). Without this the app will not connect to the system through the internet.

9. Notifications Permission Right to send notifications – When any new information is received, blocking request is accepted, new number is activated in your name, then the app has to inform you on time.

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Senior Congress leader and MP Shashi Tharoor has given a big statement on Tuesday (December 2, 2025) regarding Sanchar Sathi app. Tharoor has said that this app can be useful for people, but every person should have his own choice whether he wants to download it or not. It should not be that everything is made mandatory by the Central Government and even if it is made mandatory, the government should tell us the reasons behind it. It is strange to get information about its facts from the news.

He said, “Every person in the country can use this app, can download it if they feel that this app is needed and if they feel that we do not need this app then they should also have the right in this democracy that I do not need it, so I will not take it.”

Government did not give reasons for necessity – Shashi Tharoor

Lok Sabha MP from Thiruvananthapuram Shashi Tharoor said during a conversation in the Parliament House complex, “If the government says that it is necessary to keep this app in one’s mobile, it is a rule or a law, then they will also have to tell what are the real reasons behind it. This matter has not been discussed inside the Parliament.”

If I find the app necessary then I will also use it – Shashi Tharoor

On the government’s claim of preventing cyber crime through the Sanchar Sathi app, Tharoor said, “Nobody wants cyber crime on their phones. If I feel this app is useful then I will also use it and if I don’t like it then I will not use it, that’s the simple thing.”

He said, “I think we should know more about making this app mandatory for everyone and why it is being done. There has been no discussion of any kind from the government regarding this.”

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‘Sanchar Sathi’ app is a digital security app of the Department of Telecommunication (DOT), which has worked to crack down on the crime of mobile theft in India. Sanchar Saathi app has achieved great success in tracking and recovering lost or stolen mobile phones in India. Through this app, about 7 lakh mobile phones have been recovered and handed over to their owners in 2 years. This app was launched in March 2023. Its performance has been very excellent.

How does ‘Sanchar Sathi’ app work?

Sanchar Sathi app or portal is being run by the Department of Telecommunication (DOT). Which is a completely safe app. DOT has also requested every citizen of India to install this app (Sanchar Saathi) in their mobile phones.

With the help of Sanchar Sathi app, if your phone is stolen or lost, then that mobile phone can be recovered or tracked.

When any stolen or lost mobile phone is reported on the app, its IMEI or details are recorded. If a thief tries to use the same phone with a different SIM or a new number, the system alerts, thereby “blacklisting” the phone and preventing it from being misused.

If any citizen buys a new or second hand mobile phone, then through this app you will know whether this mobile phone is stolen or blacklisted.

How many mobile phones have been received from Sanchar Sathi app so far?

Sanchar Sathi app/portal was launched by the Ministry of Telecommunication, Government of India in May 2023. This year, in the month of October 2025, approximately 50,000+ mobile phones have been recovered. If we talk about the year 2023 till now, 7 lakh mobile phones have been recovered, and their stolen or lost phones have been handed over to the mobile owners.

Maximum number of mobile phones have been recovered through the app in Telangana and Karnataka. The number of mobile phones recovered in both the states is more than one lakh each. Till now, 12.38 lakh WhatsApp accounts related to cyber crime have also been closed through this app.

Also read: Sanchar Saathi App: What things will the government be able to keep an eye on you through Sanchar Saathi App? know everything

Other Benefits of Sanchar Saathi App

Chakshu Reporting of Suspected Fraud Communication (SFC): If a citizen receives fraudulent phone calls, they can be tracked and stopped using this feature.

Identification of all mobile connections issued in their name: Citizens can identify and manage all mobile connections issued in their name, ensuring that no one is using them without permission.

Know whether the mobile phone is stolen or not: Checking the genuineness (IMEI validity) of new or old phones so as not to buy stolen or blacklisted phones.

Blocking your lost/stolen mobile handset: Lost or stolen mobile devices can be rapidly blocked, traced and recovered.

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The Department of Telecommunications (DOT) has ordered all the mobile companies that now every new smartphone will come in the market only with Sanchar Saathi app pre-installed. That is, as soon as the customer turns on the phone, the app will appear and will be usable immediately. After a new order of the government, every smartphone sold in India will come with a special application. The name of this security app is Sanchar Saathi app.

Meaning, buy a phone from the shop, come home, turn on the phone – and you will find the government’s security app ready in front of you. The government says that now people do not need any expert to avoid fraud, rather the mobile itself will tell how safe it is.

Why was this rule implemented?

This rule will be applicable because such steps have been taken by the government regarding protection from phone theft, cloned IMEI, black business of second hand market, fraudulent numbers and cyber criminals.

Thousands of people in the country were getting trapped in mobile fraud. Now to check cyber criminals, use of fake IMEI and incidents of phone theft will be curbed. For this reason also the government has made this app mandatory in phones.

Sanchar Sathi app will now be beneficial for the public like a bodyguard. This app will immediately detect real and fake phones. It will be immediately revealed whether the IMEI number is cloned or not. Lost or stolen phone will be blocked in one click. The system will catch the blacklisted phone immediately. Apart from this, there will be a complete account of how many mobile phones are running in your name. Complaint against any fraud number will also be registered directly. This means that now while buying a second hand phone, instead of the battery and camera, the security will also be checked. Also, before purchasing the phone, its complete criminal background will also be checked.

Apart from this, it has been made clear by the government that if the company removes, hides or reduces the features of these apps, then action will be taken immediately. The government has clearly warned mobile companies that apps cannot be hidden in the phone. It cannot be removed. Features cannot be turned off or limited. This should be clearly visible on phone setup. The app must remain open for 100% use.

Government’s eye on old stock also

Actually, the government is also keeping an eye on the phones lying in the shops. These include those phones which are already made. Kept in the warehouse. Ready to be sold in shops.

The government has said that on those too, companies will have to try to send communication partners through software updates. It means clearly that this rule will apply not only to new phones but to almost every phone.

given 90 days time

The government has given 90 days time to mobile companies. The entire system will have to be implemented within these. Then the report will have to be sent to the government within 120 days. It has to be shared that the company has accepted the rules, and the app has been installed in every phone. The government seems serious on this issue.

Black marketing and stolen phones will be controlled

This rule will weaken the business of stolen phones. Phones with fake IMEI will be easily caught. Transparency will increase in the second hand market. This will help in stopping cyber fraud. Consumers will be able to check their phones themselves. Meaning this app is capable of opening all the secrets.