India proposes forcing smartphone makers to give source code in security overhaul

In a move to combat rising online fraud and data breaches, the Indian government has proposed a comprehensive security overhaul that would require smartphone manufacturers like Apple and Samsung to share their proprietary source code for vulnerability testing. The draft regulations, consisting of 83 new security standards, would also mandate that companies allow users to delete pre-installed apps, notify the government of major software updates before release, and implement on-device malware scanning and long-term activity logging. Major tech firms and industry groups have strongly opposed the plan, arguing that disclosing source code lacks global precedent, poses significant risks to corporate secrecy and user privacy, and would create "impractical" hurdles for deploying urgent security patches.