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A news report by Reuters had claimed that India proposes requiring smartphone makers to share source code with the government and make several software changes as part of a raft of security measures.
The report suggested that major global brands were uncomfortable with this idea and that strict rules were being prepared.
However, the government has now cleared the confusion and said that these claims are not true.
What the Government Said?
The Press Information Bureau (PIB), which handles official communication for the government, has stated that there is no proposal to force smartphone manufacturers to submit or share their source code with government agencies. According to PIB, the report that made these claims is misleading.
A news report by @Reuters claims that India proposes forcing smartphone manufacturers to share their source code as part of a security overhaul.
— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) January 11, 2026
🔍 #PIBFactCheck
❌ This claim is #FAKE
▶️ The Government of India has NOT proposed any measure to force smartphone manufacturers to… pic.twitter.com/0bnw0KQL9Q
Source code is the core software behind how smartphones operate. Sharing it would raise serious concerns about privacy, intellectual property, and business confidentiality. The government made it clear that no such demand has been made.
What Is Actually Happening?
Officials explained that the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology is holding regular discussions with smartphone companies and other industry players. These talks are focused on improving mobile security and protecting users from risks such as cyber fraud, malware, and data theft.
Such discussions are common and happen in many countries. They allow the government and companies to exchange views before any policy decision is taken. At this stage, no rules have been finalised, and nothing has been forced on manufacturers.
Concerns
The earlier report had also suggested that companies like Apple and Samsung were unhappy with the supposed plan. But after the government’s clarification, it is clear that there is no official policy for companies to oppose.
Industry experts say consultations should not be confused with regulation. Talking about security standards does not automatically mean companies will be asked to hand over sensitive software.
What This Means for Users?
For smartphone users in India, this clarification brings relief. It confirms that there is no new rule affecting how phones are made or how data is handled at present. User privacy and company technology remain protected.
In simple terms, the government is not asking smartphone makers to share their source code. What is happening is only a discussion on how to make mobile devices safer. Any future policy, if introduced, will come after proper consultation and public communication.
