The Sanchar Saathi is a comprehensive portal and mobile application launched by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications, Government of India. It is designed as a citizen-centric initiative to empower mobile users, enhance telecom security, and combat cyber fraud.
🎯 Objectives of the Sanchar Saathi Portal
The primary goal of Sanchar Saathi is to secure the telecom ecosystem and protect consumers from various forms of mobile-related fraud. Key objectives include:
- Curbing Mobile Theft and Misuse: To help citizens track and block their lost or stolen mobile devices across all networks.
- Preventing Identity Misuse: To allow users to check, identify, and report mobile connections that were fraudulently obtained in their name.
- Combating Cyber Fraud: To provide a mechanism (Chakshu) for reporting suspected fraudulent calls, SMS, and other communications used for cybercrime.
- Ensuring Device Genuineness: To let users verify the authenticity of a mobile handset using its IMEI number, preventing the purchase of blacklisted or non-genuine devices.
💻 CEIR and Its Role
A core component of the Sanchar Saathi platform is the CEIR system, which is crucial for managing stolen devices.
What is CEIR?
CEIR stands for Central Equipment Identity Register. It is a centralized database maintained by the DoT that tracks mobile devices using their unique International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number.
CEIR’s Role
- Centralized Tracking: It acts as the central repository for all mobile device identifiers (IMEIs) used across India’s telecom networks.
- Blacklisting: When a user reports a mobile phone as lost or stolen through the Sanchar Saathi portal, the device’s IMEI is blacklisted in the CEIR.
- Network Blockade: Once blacklisted, the device is prohibited from registering on any cellular network in India, rendering it useless even if the SIM card is changed. This prevents the misuse of stolen devices and helps in their tracing and potential recovery.
🔒 Privacy Concerns and Government Clarification
The Sanchar Saathi app has recently become a subject of controversy following a DoT directive to mobile manufacturers to pre-install the application on all new devices sold in India.
Concerns Raised
- State Surveillance Fears: Privacy advocates and opposition parties raised concerns that a mandatory, pre-loaded government application could potentially be used for unauthorized surveillance and “snooping,” infringing upon a citizen’s Right to Privacy.
- Data Security: Concerns were raised over the large-scale storage of IMEI numbers and identity-linked telecom data, and the potential risks if strong security practices are not maintained, or if the app’s requested permissions (like accessing call/SMS logs) are misused.
Government Response
In response to the “snooping” row, the Union Minister for Communications, Jyotiraditya Scindia, clarified that the Sanchar Saathi app is optional and is primarily intended to empower users for safety. He explicitly stated that users are free to delete the app from their devices if they do not wish to use its services. The government maintains that the app’s purpose is limited to cybersecurity and fraud prevention.
