How Has Sanchar Saathi Blocked Over 42 Lakh Stolen Devices?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Over 1.4 crore downloads of the Sanchar Saathi app.
- 42 lakh stolen devices successfully blocked.
- User-driven platform prioritizing privacy.
- Available in 22 languages for inclusivity.
- Empowers citizens against rising cybercrime.
New Delhi, Dec 2 (NationPress) Since its debut on January 17 of this year, the Sanchar Saathi mobile application has achieved over 1.4 crore downloads and has effectively blocked more than 42 lakh stolen or lost mobile devices, according to official reports released on Tuesday.
Of the lost or stolen mobile phones, 26 lakh have been traced, with 7.23 lakh successfully returned through the use of the Sanchar Saathi app. This app is a completely voluntary, user-driven platform that prioritizes user privacy and operates solely with the user's consent.
The Sanchar Saathi app emphasizes citizen protection and ensures privacy throughout its operation. It can only be activated after the user opts for registration, and users can choose to activate, deactivate, or remove it at any time. The design of the app aims to enhance India's cybersecurity without sacrificing privacy.
With the rise of cyber threats, protecting mobile users has become an urgent national issue.
As per the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), incidents of cybercrime have escalated from 15,92,917 in 2023 to 20,41,360 in 2024. In 2024 alone, the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal reported 1,23,672 cases of digital arrest scams and related cybercrimes, with 17,718 cases already logged by February 2025.
In light of these growing threats, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) launched the Sanchar Saathi mobile app—a tool focused on citizens that provides robust security features and fraud-reporting options directly to users.
This app complements the existing Sanchar Saathi portal by offering on-the-go protection against identity theft, forged KYC, device theft, banking fraud, and other cyber risks.
To strengthen this initiative, the Department of Telecommunications has mandated that mobile manufacturers and importers ensure the availability and accessibility of the Sanchar Saathi app on devices for users across India.
By equipping citizens with user-friendly tools and real-time access to essential security features, the Sanchar Saathi mobile app stands as a timely and effective measure against India’s rising cybercrime issues.
The application is available in Hindi and 21 other regional languages, making it inclusive and easily accessible throughout the nation.
Sanchar Saathi prioritizes user privacy and collects only the minimal personal information necessary for providing services.
The platform refrains from creating profiles for commercial marketing purposes and does not share user data with third parties. Data sharing is strictly limited to law enforcement when legally mandated, ensuring protection against unauthorized access and misuse of data, as per the official statement.