India Proposes New Smartphone Security Standards, Faces Opposition from Tech Giants

January 11, 2026
India Proposes New Smartphone Security Standards, Faces Opposition from Tech Giants
  • Given the excerpt, a detailed summary isn’t possible without additional substantive content.

  • The drafting process and discussions are taking place in early January, with a meeting scheduled to continue the dialogue.

  • While talks have occurred, operators say the draft’s safeguards, workflows, and timelines are still unclear, and there’s no certainty about final binding regulation.

  • Whether the proposal moves forward will depend on upcoming discussions and how concerns about feasibility and international precedent are addressed.

  • India is drafting an 83-point set of smartphone security standards that would require manufacturers to disclose source code to government labs, enable on-device malware scanning, extend log retention, tighten background access controls, and regulate updates and rollbacks.

  • Major players like Apple and Samsung oppose the measures, arguing they could reveal proprietary information and set global precedents that are not seen elsewhere; other firms and industry groups are also weighing in.

  • A key proposal would restrict background permissions, barring apps from accessing cameras, microphones, or location while the device is idle, and would require continuous status-bar notifications for active permissions, though critics say there’s no global precedent and testing standards are unclear.

  • Officials have held several rounds of meetings with device makers and industry groups and plan more discussions to address concerns while expanding domestic testing capacity.

  • An IT Secretary official says concerns will be addressed with an open mind, and that it is premature to draw conclusions amid ongoing discussions.

  • Notes about HyperOS and downloader links are considered ancillary promotional content and not central to the regulatory debate.

  • India’s IT Ministry emphasizes ongoing consultations with tech companies and signals a possible legal framework for the standards, aiming for transparent engagement with industry.

  • Government officials stress continued industry engagement and say they cannot comment further until discussions progress.

Summary based on 25 sources


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