India reportedly asks smartphone makers to pre-load state-owned cyber safety app Sanchar Saathi on new devices

India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has privately asked smartphone makers to pre-load all new devices in India with its cyber safety app Sanchar Saathi, reports Reuters.

The publication claims that a November 28, 2025, order by the DoT gives smartphone brands 90 days to ensure all new mobile phones are pre-loaded with the Sanchar Saathi (pronounced: sun-chaar saa-thi) app, with the provision that users cannot disable it.

The order, meant to tackle a surge in cybercrime and hacking, also asks phone makers to push the Sanchar Saathi (translation: communication partner) app via…