Centre Proposes New Security Rules for Smartphones

In January 2026, the Centre has proposed a sweeping set of smartphone security requirements, including source code sharing and software-level changes, as part of efforts to strengthen user data protection amid rising cyber threats in India.

Key Points:

Proposed Security Framework: The Union Government is considering enforcing 83 new security standards for smartphones, formally termed the Indian Telecom Security Assurance Requirements, to enhance data security and prevent misuse.
Source Code Sharing Requirement: One of the most sensitive proposals requires smartphone manufacturers to share source code with government-designated laboratories for vulnerability analysis and security assessment.
Industry Pushback: Global technology giants such as Apple, Samsung, Google and Xiaomi have raised concerns, arguing that such requirements lack global precedent and could expose proprietary information.
Additional Software Mandates: The proposals require manufacturers to enable uninstallation of pre-installed apps and prevent apps from accessing cameras and microphones in the background without user awareness.
Update and Malware Monitoring: Smartphone makers would need to inform the National Centre for Communication Security in advance about major software updates and security patches, while also enabling automatic and periodic malware scanning on devices.