According to a Reuters report, the Indian government is considering a major overhaul of smartphone security regulations that could significantly impact global device manufacturers. The proposed framework, outlined in a draft of more than 80 new security standards, may require smartphone makers to share proprietary source code with government-authorised laboratories for security testing.
The move is part of the Indian Telecom Security Assurance Requirements (ITSAR) and aligns with the Modi government’s broader push for digital sovereignty. Officials argue that tighter oversight is necessary to safeguard India’s nearly 750 million smartphone users amid a sharp rise in cybercrime, data breaches, and online fraud.
However, the proposal has triggered strong resistance from global technology leaders such as Apple, Samsung, and Xiaomi. Industry body MAIT has reportedly warned that mandatory disclosure of source code is “not possible,” citing risks to intellectual property, global compliance issues, and corporate confidentiality. Companies have also pointed out that similar requirements do not exist in major global markets such as the European Union or the United Kingdom.
Beyond source code disclosure, the draft regulations propose advance government notification of major software updates and security patches, allowing authorities to test them before public release. Another provision suggests periodic automatic malware scans on devices—an idea experts caution could affect battery life and device performance.
The government has also proposed a mandate requiring smartphones to retain system activity logs for at least 12 months. Manufacturers have pushed back on this requirement as well, arguing that most devices lack sufficient internal storage to support such extensive data retention.
Responding to the concerns, IT Secretary S. Krishnan said the government would consider “legitimate issues raised by the industry” and stressed that it was premature to draw conclusions. The Press Information Bureau later clarified that no final decision has been made and that the draft remains part of an ongoing consultation process. A high-level meeting between government officials and senior tech executives is expected later this week to discuss the proposals further.
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