Apple and Samsung Challenge India’s Smartphone Security Proposals
Tech giants Apple and Samsung are pushing back against India’s proposed smartphone security requirements that would mandate sharing proprietary source code with government laboratories. This controversial proposal is part of India’s “Indian Telecom Security Assurance Requirements,” which includes 83 security standards aimed at protecting user data in the world’s second-largest smartphone market.
The proposed regulations would require manufacturers to provide complete access to source code for government analysis and testing, notify officials of major software updates in advance, and implement various software changes including allowing pre-installed apps to be removed. Additionally, companies would need to prevent apps from accessing cameras and microphones in the background.
Industry group MAIT, representing Apple, Samsung, Google, and Xiaomi, argues that these requirements lack global precedent and risk revealing trade secrets. “This is not possible due to secrecy and privacy,” the group stated in a confidential document, noting that major countries in the EU, North America, and Australia do not mandate such requirements.
Indian IT Secretary S. Krishnan told reporters that “any legitimate concerns of the industry will be addressed with an open mind,” adding it was premature to draw conclusions. The proposal is part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s broader cybersecurity strategy for India’s market of nearly 750 million smartphones. This clash highlights the growing tensions between national security concerns and corporate intellectual property protection.
Source: www.pymnts.com