India denies plans for smartphone source code access rules

According to The Register, India's government has denied reports that it is developing regulations requiring smartphone manufacturers to provide access to their source code. A recent report claimed that India had circulated security standards including demands for source code sharing and advance notification of software updates, which Apple and Samsung reportedly opposed.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) issued a statement refuting the report, emphasizing the government's commitment to user safety and data protection in the digital ecosystem. India stated it is engaged in stakeholder consultations to develop a robust mobile security regulatory framework, characterizing these discussions as ongoing industry engagement. The government affirmed its commitment to working with the industry to understand technical and compliance burdens and adopt international best practices.

This situation highlights the ongoing tension between national security objectives and the practicalities of global technology manufacturing. India's past regulatory efforts have seen industry pushback lead to softened requirements. 

Source: The Register