Center is planning new rules to make smartphones safer for users across the country. The proposed measures aim to protect people from online fraud, hacking, and misuse of personal data, as India now has nearly 750 million smartphone users.
Reports say the government has shared a draft of 83 security standards with major phone makers, including Apple, Samsung, Google, and Xiaomi, as part of ongoing consultations. These rules are still under discussion.
One of the most debated proposals is that smartphone makers may need to share their source code, the programming behind operating systems and apps. Government-approved labs could then review the code to identify security weaknesses before phones or software updates are released.
The draft also includes other user-focused measures, such as letting people delete pre-installed apps, preventing apps from secretly using cameras or microphones in the background, running automatic malware scans, and keeping security logs for at least a year to track threats. Companies may also need to inform the government before major software updates, helping authorities respond quickly to potential risks.
Global tech firms and industry groups have raised concerns, saying that sharing source code could expose trade secrets, slow software updates, and affect device performance or battery life.
The government’s Press Information Bureau (PIB) has clarified that reports suggesting companies will be forced to hand over source code are misleading. Officials stressed that no final rule has been approved and that consultations are still in an early stage. They said the aim is to improve smartphone security while also taking industry concerns into account, with any final decisions to be made only after proper discussions with all stakeholders.
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