On November 28, 2025, the Indian Department of Telecommunications issued a confidential directive to major smartphone manufacturers, including Apple and Samsung, demanding that they preinstall the non-removable official cybersecurity app, "Sanchar Saathi," on all new smartphones sold in India within a 90-day timeframe. Additionally, the directive required these companies to distribute the app to existing devices via mandatory software updates. The app was positioned as a tool to assist users in tracking lost phones and identifying fraudulent SIM card connections. The Indian government touted its success, claiming that since its launch in January, the app had facilitated the recovery of over 700,000 lost devices.

However, the undisclosed nature of this order triggered widespread controversy. Opposition political parties and digital rights advocacy groups condemned the move as a violation of user privacy and the fundamental right to choose software applications. They argued that such a mandate could set a dangerous precedent for government overreach in the digital sphere. Meanwhile, tech giants like Apple resisted compliance, citing their stringent security policies and concerns over user data protection. In response to the escalating backlash, the Indian government rescinded the directive on December 3, asserting that the app had already achieved significant public acceptance and no longer required mandatory installation.