Overview
- Reuters reported that draft Indian Telecom Security Assurance Requirements outline about 83 standards, including access to smartphone source code, advance notice of major software updates, uninstallable pre‑loads, background camera and microphone blocks, automatic malware scans, and year‑long on‑device logs.
- Apple, Samsung, Google and Xiaomi have privately objected through industry body MAIT, which argued there is no global precedent for source‑code review and warned of intellectual property risks.
- MAIT’s confidential feedback cited operational concerns, saying constant malware scanning could drain batteries, one‑year log retention is impractical on devices, and pre‑notification or testing of updates could slow critical security patches.
- The Press Information Bureau and the IT ministry said the government has not proposed forcing source‑code sharing, stating that stakeholder consultations are underway and no final regulations have been framed.
- IT Secretary S. Krishnan said legitimate industry concerns will be addressed and characterized it as premature to draw conclusions, with further meetings between officials and tech executives scheduled this week.