Mandatory app may trigger pushback

misuse of mobile phones in various scams.

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The notification read, “From 90 days of issue of these instructions, ensure that the Sanchar Saathi mobile application, as specified by DoT, is preinstalled on all mobile handsets manufactured or imported for use in India.”

“The notification clearly states that Sanchar Saathi must be preinstalled in all mobile phones in order to make it easier for the Centre to track nefarious activities,” the first of the two executives said.

“Their idea is that if a smart phone’s IMEI (international mobile equipment identity) number is blacklisted on Sanchar Saathi, having the latter preinstalled on all phones will immediately block those numbers and narrow the window of devices that scammers can use,” this executive added.

Phone brands and industry bodies alike are set to push back against the notification.