Sanchar Saathi:
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has made it mandatory for all newly manufactured or imported mobile phones in India to come with the Sanchar Saathi app pre-installed.
- It is a security and awareness platform developed by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT).
- It is available both as an app and a web portal.
- Purpose is to help mobile users manage their digital identity, report suspicious activity, and safeguard their devices.
- The platform also provides educational material on telecom safety and cyber risks, making it a combined service-and-awareness system.
- Features:
- ‘Chakshu’ feature: It lets users report suspicious calls, SMS and WhatsApp messages, such as fake KYC alerts, impersonation scams, or phishing links. It helps authorities spot fraud patterns.
- Report spam and unwanted commercial calls: Users can report spam calls and messages that break TRAI rules. Complaints made within seven days can lead to action against the sender.
- Report malicious links and apps: Allows reporting of phishing links, unsafe APKs, and fraudulent websites.
- Checking mobile connections linked to your identity: Shows how many mobile numbers are registered using your identity. Helps identify SIM cards taken without your knowledge.
- Blocking lost or stolen phones: Allows users to block the IMEI of a lost or stolen device so it can’t be used. Phones can be unblocked if recovered.
- Verifying the authenticity of a device: Allows users to check if a phone is genuine by validating its IMEI. It is useful when buying second-hand phones.
- Reporting international calls that appear as Indian numbers: Some scammers use illegal telecom setups to make international calls appear as regular +91 calls. Sanchar Saathi enables users to report such cases.
- Finding your local Internet Service Provider: The app also includes a feature that lets users check which wired internet service providers are available in their area by entering a PIN code, address, or provider name.
- Verifying trusted contacts and helpline numbers: Provides a directory to confirm genuine customer-care numbers, emails, and websites of banks and other major institutions.
