siliconindia | | DECEMBER 20258IS THE SANCHAR SAATHI APP REDEFINING DIGITAL FREEDOM IN INDIA?EDITORIAL EXCLUSIVEBy M R Yuvatha, Senior Correspondent, SiliconindiaIn the bustling digital landscape of India, where over 1.2 billion mobile subscribers navigate a sea of connections daily, a quiet revolution stirred on December 2, 2025. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) unveiled a bold mandate, every new smartphone entering the Indian market must come pre-loaded with the Sanchar Saathi app a state-owned cybersecurity sentinel.This wasn't just an update, it was a seismic shift, positioning the government as an omnipresent ally in the fight against cyber threats. But as whispers of `Big Brother' echo through tech forums and privacy circles, one question remains, Is this app a liberator of secure digital lives or a subtle chain on India's burgeoning online freedoms?Rajesh Dimania, Co-Founder & CTO at Callerdesk, highlights, Sanchar Saathi is an important and timely step by the Government of India to make the telecom ecosystem safer for citizens. It can help people protect themselves from voice-based fraud, SIM-related misuse and various cyber scams, while also encouraging greater transparency and responsible communication. As users become more aware of these risks, it becomes equally important for organisations to ensure that their calling and communication practices are secure, traceable and compliant with applicable regulations.Initiatives like Sanchar Saathi contribute to strengthening digital trust in India by promoting safer and more accountable communication systems. This is exactly where CallerDesk supports the government's vision by enabling businesses with regulated cloud-telephony, verified call flows, secure call-logs and auditable communication systems that reduce misuse and improve accountability".Picture thisA young entrepreneur in Mumbai receives a suspicious call from a number masquerading as a local bank. In seconds, with Sanchar Saathi, she flags it, blocks the fraudster's line, and watches as the system traces it back to an international scam ring. Stories like hers are no longer fiction. Since its app iteration launched in January 2025, building on the May 2023 portal Sanchar Saathi has reclaimed over 700,000 lost devices and dismantled 30 million fraudulent connections.Yesterday's announcement, mandating pre-installation by March 2026 with un-disableable features, transforms · Sanchar Saathi shields users from fraud, scams, lost/stolen phones, and counterfeit devices.· Over 5 million downloads empower citizens across urban and rural India with safer digital access.· The app balances digital safety with personal choice, promoting trust without intrusive surveillance.
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