India Mandates Preinstalled Cybersecurity App on New Smartphones

India's telecom ministry has directed smartphone manufacturers to preinstall a government-developed cybersecurity app on all new devices sold in the country, with the software required to remain active and non-removable by users. The order, issued by the Department of Telecommunications on November 28, 2025, and reported widely on December 1, gives companies 90 days to comply, affecting devices entering the market from around March 2026.

The directive targets major manufacturers including Apple, Samsung, Vivo, Oppo, and Xiaomi, which dominate India's market of over 1.2 billion mobile subscribers. For existing devices already in circulation, the ministry instructed firms to deliver the app through software updates. The app, known as Sanchar Saathi or "communication companion," aims to enhance cybersecurity by verifying International Mobile Equipment Identity numbers, unique codes assigned to each handset. These codes help block stolen or lost phones from networks and detect spoofed or duplicate IMEIs often used in fraud.

Officials stated the measure addresses rising cyber threats, including scams, phone theft, and misuse of telecom resources. The Sanchar Saathi initiative, which...