Indian Government Refutes Claims of Mandatory Source Code Sharing for Smartphone Makers

The Indian government has pushed back against recent reports suggesting that smartphone brands operating in the country could be compelled to hand over their source code, calling such claims inaccurate and misleading. Officials have made it clear that there is no move underway to introduce mandatory source code sharing for smartphone makers, and that recent discussions are being wrongly interpreted.

Addressing the issue publicly, the government’s PIB Fact Check unit dismissed a Reuters report on X while clearly stating that “this claim is fake.” The Reuters report hinted at such a requirement as part of India’s mobile security efforts. According to the clarification, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has not proposed any rule that would require smartphone companies to disclose their source code to authorities.

Instead, the government explained that MeitY is currently engaged in standard consultations with industry stakeholders. These talks are part of a broader effort to understand potential improvements to mobile security frameworks and are routine in nature. Officials emphasized that no draft regulations have been finalized and that any future policy would be shaped only after extensive dialogue with smartphone manufacturers and other industry players.

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The clarification follows gathered attention around a Reuters report that claimed India was exploring a wide range of new smartphone security measures. According to the report, some global smartphone brands had expressed concerns internally, warning that such steps could put Proprietary technology at risk.

Government representatives have urged caution, noting that consultations should not be mistaken for firm policy decisions. Senior officials have previously stated that it is too early to draw conclusions and that feedback from the industry will be carefully considered before any action is taken.

The report also referenced other ideas said to be under discussion, including giving users more control over pre-installed apps, limiting background access to cameras and microphones, mandatory malware checks, and storing system logs on devices for extended periods. Industry body MAIT, which represents several smartphone companies in India, was cited as raising objections, arguing that these measures could affect device performance, battery life, and software update timelines.

For now, the government’s position remains unchanged: there is no proposal for mandatory source code sharing for smartphone makers, and current engagements with the industry are simply part of ongoing consultations aimed at strengthening mobile security without compromising innovation or proprietary technology.

Author: The Mobile Indian Network
Source: The Mobile Indian
Reviewed By: Editorial Team