New Delhi, Dec. 1 -- In a sweeping cybersecurity move, the telecom ministry has ordered all smartphone manufacturers to pre-install the government's Sanchar Saathi app on new devices sold in India, with no option for users to delete or disable it, Reuters reported. The directive aims to curb cyber fraud, phone theft and misuse of fake or cloned IMEI numbers across India's 1.2 billion mobile subscribers.

The app, already widely used, enables users to verify IMEI numbers, block stolen devices and report suspicious calls or messages through a centralised system. Officials said Sanchar Saathi has helped recover over 7 lakh stolen phones since January, including 50,000 in October alone, and facilitated blocking of 3.7 million stolen devices a...