Apple, Samsung may not follow Sanchar Saathi app order in its current form

Apple and Samsung will discuss the Sanchar Saathi app order with the government and try to find a middle path on the directive for its pre-installation on mobile phones, sources said.

In an order issued on November 28, the Department of Telecom directed manufacturers and importers of mobile handsets to ensure that its fraud reporting app, Sanchar Saathi, was pre-installed on all new devices and installed via a software update on existing handsets.

"Apple will discuss the order and work out a middle path with them. The company may not be able to implement the order in the current form," sources said.

According to the direction, all mobile phones that are manufactured in India or imported after 90 days from the date of the order will need to have the app.

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All mobile phone companies are required to report compliance to the DoT within 120 days.

The sources shared that Samsung was reviewing the order and may also discuss it with the government before implementation.

Former CMD, BSNL, and Independent Director, Lava International, Anupam Shrivastava, said the mandate to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app was a strong and right move to combat mobile handset fraud and enhance national telecom cybersecurity. — TNS