New Delhi: The Centre on Monday dismissed an international media report claiming that India plans to compel smartphone manufacturers to share their source code with the government and introduce wide-ranging software changes as part of new security measures.
The IT Ministry said the report was misleading and lacked substantiation, noting that it did not cite statements from any major smartphone makers or industry bodies representing them.
Instead, the ministry alleged, the report ignored clarifications issued by an industry association, suggesting an attempt to sensationalise the issue.
Reiterating its commitment to strengthening cybersecurity while safeguarding citizens’ privacy, the government said it is following a structured and consultative process to evolve an effective regulatory framework for mobile security.
These consultations, it said, are part of the ministry’s routine engagement with industry stakeholders on safety and security standards in a fast-evolving digital ecosystem.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) explained that such consultations regularly cover a wide range of issues, including safety compliance, electromagnetic interference and compatibility norms, Indian language support, interface requirements and security standards.
After stakeholder inputs, detailed discussions are held with manufacturers on various technical and security-related aspects.
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According to the ministry, it is working closely with industry players to understand technical challenges, compliance requirements and global best practices, while addressing concerns in a constructive manner.
It added that all legitimate issues raised by the industry would be examined with an open mind, keeping the interests of both the country and the sector in view.
Earlier, India’s smartphone manufacturing industry also sought to downplay concerns around the reported proposal, saying discussions on source code and security requirements have been ongoing for several years.
The India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA) said the consultations should not be interpreted as a new or imminent regulatory move, nor as a sudden shift in government policy.
