Pakistan, Indonesia Form Joint Trade Committee
January 12, 2026
India’s latest data-security push has tech giants on edge, as proposals demand unprecedented access to smartphone software. Apple, Samsung and others warn the plan could crack open trade secrets in the name of safety.
Read more: Pakistan Unveils Cybersecurity Act 2025 to Safeguard Digital Frontier
India is weighing a sweeping set of smartphone security rules that would require manufacturers to share source code with the government, triggering quiet resistance from global technology heavyweights including Apple and Samsung Electronics.
The proposed framework outlines 83 security standards aimed at strengthening user data protection amid rising online fraud in the world’s second-largest smartphone market, which hosts nearly 750 million devices. Among the most contentious measures are mandatory source code access, advance notice of major software updates, and expanded testing at government-designated labs.
IT Secretary S. Krishnan sought to calm industry nerves, saying “any legitimate concerns of the industry will be addressed with an open mind,” adding it was “premature to read more into it.” Officials say consultations with companies are still ongoing.
Industry groups argue the proposals have no global parallel and could expose proprietary information. In a confidential submission, manufacturers warned that source code review is “not possible” due to secrecy and privacy concerns, noting that major economies do not impose such rules.
The draft standards, prepared in 2023, are now under renewed scrutiny as the government considers giving them legal force, with further talks expected this week.
