The Sanchar Saathi mobile app, launched in January 2025 to enhance transparency and security across India’s telecom ecosystem, has rapidly evolved into one of the country’s most impactful digital safety initiatives. With more than 1.4 crore downloads since its launch on January 17, the app has empowered millions of users to protect their mobile devices, verify telecom connections, and combat rising cybercrime.
India, now the world’s second-largest telecom market with over a billion mobile subscribers, faces a growing threat landscape. Mobile phones have become essential gateways to banking, healthcare, education, entertainment, and government services -making security increasingly critical. Cybercrime has surged sharply, with incidents reported by CERT-In rising from 15.9 lakh in 2023 to over 20.4 lakh in 2024. Digital Arrest scams alone accounted for more than 1.23 lakh cases in 2024, and nearly 18,000 such cases had already been reported by February 2025.
Against this backdrop, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) developed Sanchar Saathi as a citizen-first, privacy-safe platform designed to help users secure their digital identities.
The app’s impact has been substantial. Since launch, more than 42 lakh stolen or lost mobile devices have been successfully blocked, while 26 lakh phones have been traced and over 7.23 lakh returned to their rightful owners. Citizens have also marked 1.43 crore mobile connections as “Not My Number,” prompting disconnection of fraudulent connections created using forged KYC credentials. In total, over 40.9 lakh fraudulent connections have been removed based on citizen reports, and more than 6.2 lakh IMEIs linked to fraud have been blocked.
The Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI), a key feature of the platform, has added another dimension to user protection. By classifying mobile numbers based on their fraud risk, the tool helps banks and payment service providers implement additional safeguards for high-risk users. According to DoT, the FRI has already prevented potential financial losses worth ₹475 crore.
Complementing the app’s achievements, the broader Sanchar Saathi initiative has strengthened telecom security across digital platforms. More than 3 crore fraudulent mobile connections have been eliminated through coordinated enforcement efforts. Additionally, authorities have blocked 3.19 lakh devices, disabled nearly 17 lakh WhatsApp accounts involved in suspicious activity, and blacklisted over 20,000 bulk SMS senders—significantly reducing spam and scam communication nationwide.
What sets Sanchar Saathi apart is its citizen-focused design. The app operates only with user consent and allows individuals to activate, deactivate, or delete their profile at any time. Privacy remains central to its functioning, with data collection limited strictly to service requirements. No user profiling is conducted for marketing purposes, and third-party data sharing is prohibited except when legally required for law enforcement. These safeguards align with both the IT Act 2000 and the Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023.
The app offers a range of services that bring the full capabilities of the Sanchar Saathi portal directly to users’ smartphones. These include Chakshu, which allows reporting of suspicious calls and messages such as KYC-update scams; features for IMEI tracking and blocking lost or stolen phones; tools to verify the number of mobile connections registered under a user’s identity; checks for handset authenticity; reporting of international calls masked with Indian numbers; and the ability to look up Internet Service Providers by location. By enabling quick reporting of spam, fraud, and suspicious activities, Sanchar Saathi supports enforcement of TRAI’s TCCCPR regulations and strengthens the fight against telecom misuse.
With availability in Hindi and 21 regional languages, and compatibility with both Android and iOS devices, the app is designed for inclusivity and ease of use across India. Its growing adoption reflects rising public awareness about mobile security and increasing participation in the country’s efforts to counter fraud.
The Sanchar Saathi initiative represents a strong model of Jan Bhagidari, where citizen involvement plays a critical role in governance and security. User reports form the backbone of its fraud detection and enforcement mechanisms, while real-time dashboards on the portal ensure transparency in government action.
As mobile dependence deepens and cyber risks evolve, Sanchar Saathi has emerged as a timely and highly effective response. By giving citizens the tools to block stolen devices, verify telecom connections, report fraud, and protect their privacy, the app is reinforcing trust in India’s digital ecosystem. With its expanding features, robust privacy framework, and active user engagement, Sanchar Saathi is shaping a safer and more secure future for the country’s mobile users.
