India Proposes Source Code Submission to Strengthen Smartphone Security
As part of efforts to bolster smartphone security, the Indian government has proposed that manufacturers submit their source code for government review. The proposed policy includes numerous software-related changes and strict conditions, prompting concerns among major tech companies such as Apple, Samsung, Google, and Xiaomi, Reuters reports.
The proposal outlines 83 security standards, with the most controversial requirement being prior notification to the government before major software updates and allowing laboratory analysis of source code.
Experts note that there is no international precedent for such mandatory disclosure, raising concerns about potential exposure of proprietary technological information.
India’s IT Secretary S. Krishnan stated that the government will consider the industry’s legitimate concerns openly. With nearly 750 million smartphone users, India is the world’s second-largest market, and the initiative aims to curb online fraud and data leaks.
However, analysts warn that mandatory source code submission could create tension between technology companies and the government.
DBTech/BMT/OR
