jasdooit

India, now recognized as a major global center for smartphone manufacturing, has reportedly asked smartphone makers like Samsung Electronics, Apple, and Google to reveal their “source code,” which is considered a trade secret. Although Indian officials have denied the report, the smartphone industry is concerned that the government may keep pushing companies to support its own technological growth.

As per a Reuters report published on the 11th (local time), the Indian government is advocating for an 83-point “smartphone security standards” framework, which includes a provision requiring manufacturers to disclose their source code. The government stated that enhancing cybersecurity is the rationale behind this move, with the intention of examining each manufacturer’s source code.

The source code functions like a detailed plan that explains how an operating system (OS) and mobile applications function inside a smartphone. Asking for it is similar to requesting companies to reveal their confidential business secrets. Apple, which manages the closed iOS environment, keeps its fundamental OS source code private. Even companies like Samsung Electronics, Google, and Xiaomi, which utilize the open-source Android OS, keep their unique operational processes as confidential information.

Following protests from the smartphone sector and the India Electronics and Semiconductor Association (MAIT), who described the request as “unreasonable,” the Indian government clarified, “We have never suggested sharing source code.” Nevertheless, industry experts remain doubtful. In November of last year, the Indian government had asked Samsung Electronics and Apple to pre-install a cybersecurity application developed by the government, a decision that was eventually reversed after strong opposition. Issues were raised not only regarding the app’s potential access to citizens’ private information but also about the risk of technology being stolen through access to manufacturers’ fundamental OS components.

Industry experts believe India’s requests arise from its increasing self-assurance as an emerging leader in smartphone manufacturing. As per Counterpoint Research, India is projected to have contributed around 20% of worldwide smartphone production in the previous year.

An insider from the industry stated, “India aims to emulate China, which attained smartphone technology independence via Huawei and Xiaomi. Even limited access to source code would greatly support technological self-sufficiency, which is why they are pushing for excessive requirements.”