Smartphone verification mandate India: Government expands device tracking push

The smartphone verification mandate India is expanding as the government moves to record both new and used devices through a central database. The initiative aims to curb theft and cybercrime. However, it raises new questions about visibility, data governance, and the implications of large-scale device tracking.

Expansion of mandatory checks for new and used phones

The telecom ministry now requires companies dealing in used smartphones to verify every device against a central IMEI repository. The rule builds on a recent directive instructing manufacturers to preinstall the Sanchar Saathi app on all new phones and push the software to existing devices through updates. Authorities say these measures support fraud prevention and device recovery, but concerns continue to grow.

Impact of Sanchar Saathi’s rapid scale-up

Sanchar Saathi launched in 2023 as a platform to trace or block stolen phones. Government data states the system has blocked over 4.2 million devices and traced 2.6 million. The dedicated app has contributed to recovering more than 700,000 phones, including 50,000 in October alone. Adoption has increased sharply, with nearly 15 million downloads and over 3 million monthly active users in November. Website traffic has also risen.

Privacy concerns around mandatory installation

The government has ordered manufacturers to ensure the app remains visible and functional when devices are first set up. This order has triggered criticism from civil society groups and opposition leaders. The directive appears to limit how optional the app truly is. Telecom minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia maintains the system is voluntary and that users may delete the app. Yet the language in the instruction suggests restrictions that blur the boundary between optional and required use.

Integration push with recommerce platforms

The ministry is piloting an API that enables recommerce platforms to upload customer identity information and device details directly to the government. This step could establish a nationwide log of phones in circulation. India’s secondhand market continues to expand as consumers choose lower-cost devices. About 85% of this sector remains informal, which means most offline activity falls outside the current rules. Only formal recommerce channels are required to comply.

Growing debate on oversight and governance

Experts argue that broad device-level visibility introduces risks if governance structures remain weak. Digital rights groups warn that the scale of India’s smartphone base—around 700 million devices—magnifies even small changes in data handling. They note that mandating a single government-controlled app could limit innovation from private players. Independent audits, data governance safeguards, and accountability mechanisms are essential for ensuring trust.

Liability and transparency concerns for industry

Recommerce firms face potential liability if data submitted through the new API is mishandled. Stakeholders also express concern that users may not fully understand the permissions and backend data flows associated with the broader system. Many of these changes remain buried within lengthy terms and conditions that most people do not review.

A debate that will shape the next phase of digital governance

Critics describe the measures as disproportionate relative to the stated objective. They argue that cybercrime prevention should not depend on sweeping device-level tracking. The government insists that the smartphone verification mandate India strengthens protections against identity fraud, device cloning, and IMEI manipulation. The policy’s long-term implications will hinge on transparency, user autonomy, and accountability frameworks.

What safeguards should accompany nationwide device verification to balance public safety and digital rights?

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