Overview
- Reuters reported the government is considering a draft package of 83 smartphone security requirements, including source-code review at designated Indian labs and tighter software controls.
- Proposals described in confidential documents include uninstallable pre-installed apps, blocks on background access to cameras and microphones, periodic malware scans, one-year log retention, and prior notice of major updates.
- Apple, Samsung, Google and Xiaomi, through industry group MAIT, objected that code review is not feasible and warned of risks to intellectual property, device performance and timely security patching.
- IT Secretary S. Krishnan said officials will address legitimate concerns with an open mind and called it premature to draw conclusions, with further meetings scheduled with industry leaders on Tuesday.
- The standards were drafted in 2023 to bolster cybersecurity in a market of roughly 750 million devices, and any legal imposition would follow stakeholder consultations.