Indian Government has denied reports that it plans to make smartphone makers share their source code with the government, clarifying that no such formal proposal exists. The clarification followed a Reuters report claiming the government was drafting new rules under the Indian Telecom Security Assurance Requirements that would require manufacturers to disclose source code to government labs. The Press Information Bureau responded that the claim was “fake,” saying no such regulation has been proposed.
Officials from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) explained that only stakeholder consultations are taking place to develop a framework for mobile device security, emphasizing that any final rules will follow due industry discussions. “No final regulations have been framed,” a government statement said.
Industry groups have confirmed these consultations but expressed concern over the breadth of proposed security standards. The India Cellular and Electronics Association called the talks “routine,” while the Manufacturers’ Association for Information Technology warned that mandatory source code disclosure is “not possible due to secrecy and privacy.” The group, representing Apple, Samsung, Google, and Xiaomi, urged the government to drop the requirement, citing that no major economies mandate such measures.
Draft discussions reportedly include measures like 12-month storage of device logs, pre-approval for software updates, and malware scanning—all of which manufacturers argue could affect performance and user privacy. With over 750 million smartphone users, India is a key market for major global brands. IT Secretary S. Krishnan said legitimate industry concerns will be reviewed, adding it was too early to draw conclusions.
Further talks between the IT Ministry and industry executives are scheduled for January 13.
