MeitY denies report claiming India will force Apple, Samsung and other smartphone makers to share source code

Smartphones

• MeitY denies reports of plans to force smartphone makers to share source code
• No plan to mandate source code sharing or major software update disclosures
• Mobile security consultations ongoing; no final policy decisions yet.

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The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has denied a media report that claimed India is considering forcing smartphone manufacturers to share their proprietary source code with the government. The ministry clarified that no such proposal is under consideration and described the report as inaccurate.

The clarification follows a report by Reuters, which suggested that Indian authorities were examining new smartphone security rules that could require companies such as Apple and Samsung to disclose sensitive software details as part of a broader security framework.

What the report claimed

According to Reuters, the proposed rules under discussion could have required smartphone makers to share source code with authorities, notify the government in advance of major software updates, and comply with additional software-related obligations. The report said the proposals were aimed at strengthening national security and improving oversight of devices used widely across India.

The claims sparked concern among industry watchers and users, particularly around user privacy, intellectual property protection, and the operational impact on global technology companies that manufacture and sell smartphones in India.

Government clarification

In response, MeitY, through Press Information Bureau and its fact-checking unit PIB Fact Check, rejected the report. The government said it has not proposed any measure that would compel smartphone manufacturers to share source code or alter their software.

“There is no proposal under consideration to mandate the sharing of source code by smartphone manufacturers,” the government said in its clarification, adding that the report did not reflect the current policy position.

Consultations, not regulation

MeitY explained that it is currently engaged in stakeholder consultations related to cybersecurity and mobile device security. These discussions, the ministry said, are part of a routine process followed while framing or reviewing security standards.

Officials noted that such consultations are meant to understand technical challenges, compliance burdens, and international best practices followed by smartphone makers. “Stakeholder consultations are a standard exercise and should not be interpreted as a final policy decision,” the ministry said.

Industry bodies have also indicated that discussions with the government on mobile security have been ongoing for years and are part of normal regulatory engagement, rather than a sign of imminent regulatory action.

No final decision yet

The government stressed that no final framework has been drafted and no binding decisions have been taken so far. Any future policy on smartphone security, it said, would be framed only after due consultation with all stakeholders, balancing security needs with industry concerns and user interests.

MeitY and PIB Fact Check urged the public to rely on official sources for information on government policy, warning that unverified reports can lead to confusion, particularly on sensitive issues involving technology regulation and national security.