India\u2019s\u00a0proposal to require\u00a0smartphone\u00a0makers to share source code with the government and make several software changes as part of a raft of security measures has prompted behind-the-scenes opposition from giants like Apple and Samsung.<\/p>\n
The tech companies have countered that the package of\u00a083 security standards,\u00a0which would also include a requirement to alert the government to major software updates, lacks any global precedent and risks revealing proprietary details, according to four people familiar with the discussions and a Reuters review of confidential government and industry documents.<\/p>\n
The plan is part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi\u2019s efforts to boost security of user data as online fraud and data breaches increase in the world\u2019s second-largest\u00a0smartphone\u00a0market, with nearly 750 million phones.<\/p>\n
The proposal is part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi\u2019s efforts to boost security of user data as online fraud and data breaches increase in India. REUTERS<\/p>\n
IT Secretary S. Krishnan told Reuters that \u201cany legitimate concerns of the industry will be addressed with an open mind,\u201d adding it was \u201cpremature to read more into it.\u201d A ministry spokesperson said it could not comment further due to ongoing consultation with tech companies on the proposals.<\/p>\n
Apple, South Korea\u2019s Samsung, Google, China\u2019s Xiaomi,\u00a0and MAIT, the\u00a0Indian industry group that represents the firms, did not respond to requests for comment.<\/p>\n
Indian government requirements have irked technology firms before. Last month, it\u00a0revoked\u00a0an order mandating a state-run cyber safety app on phones amid concerns over surveillance. But the government brushed aside lobbying last year and required\u00a0rigorous testing for security cameras\u00a0over fears of Chinese spying.<\/p>\n
Xiaomi and Samsung \u2014 whose phones use Google\u2019s Android operating system \u2014 hold 19% and 15%, respectively, of\u00a0India\u2019s market share and Apple 5%, Counterpoint Research estimates.<\/p>\n
Among the most sensitive requirements in the new\u00a0Indian Telecom Security Assurance Requirements is access to source code \u2014 the underlying programming instructions that make phones work. This would be analyzed and possibly tested at designated\u00a0Indian labs, the documents show.<\/p>\n
The\u00a0Indian proposals also require companies to make software changes to allow pre-installed apps to be uninstalled and to block apps from using cameras and microphones in the background to \u201cavoid malicious usage.\u201d<\/p>\n
Apple has 5% of the market share in India. REUTERS<\/p>\n
\u201cIndustry raised concerns that globally security requirement have not been mandated by any country,\u201d said a December IT ministry document detailing meetings that officials held with Apple, Samsung, Google and Xiaomi.<\/p>\n
The security standards, drafted in 2023, are in the spotlight now as the government is considering imposing them legally. IT ministry and tech executives are due to meet on Tuesday for more discussions, sources said.<\/p>\n