India is considering significant regulatory reforms centered on smartphone cybersecurity, which would require leading manufacturers like Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) and Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. (OTC:SSNLF) to submit their source code to government authorities and adhere to a slate of 83 newly proposed security standards. These steps also mandate the notification of major software updates to the Indian government.
This push reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modi's agenda to reinforce user data protection across the country where nearly 750 million smartphones operate, underscoring India's position as the world's second-largest smartphone market.
However, the technology sector's major players—including Apple, Samsung, Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOGL), and Xiaomi Corp. (OTC:XIACF)—have voiced concerns about the unprecedented nature of these requirements. Industry experts warn that mandatory source code disclosure, without a global precedent, could risk exposing critical proprietary information and intellectual property.
India's heightened focus on digital security follows recent government actions driven by fears over surveillance and espionage, particularly linked to Chinese technology firms. Last month, India withdrew a compulsory cybersecurity app from mandatory use after surveillance-related objections emerged yet simultaneously moved forward with enhanced security testing protocols for camera technologies due to espionage concerns.
The proposed source code disclosure aligns with a wider governmental effort to intensify control and oversight over technology deployed in India, motivated by national security considerations amid geopolitical complications.
The backdrop of these moves includes increasing global regulatory scrutiny of leading technology companies. For example, Apple faced a significant €115 million fine imposed by Italy’s Competition Authority in December 2025 related to allegations of abusing its dominant position in the mobile application marketplace. The Italian regulator cited Apple's tight control over the App Store and its dealings with third-party developers as the basis for the penalty.
Meanwhile, several other major tech corporations such as Google, Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ:META), Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN), Netflix Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX), and Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:MSFT) currently remain outside the scope of impending European Union regulations under the Digital Networks Act. This EU initiative intends to revamp digital and telecommunications frameworks to promote competition and accelerate the deployment of broadband and fiber-optic infrastructure.
In India, the security standards and regulatory changes targeting software transparency for smartphones represent a novel approach with significant implications for how multinational companies safeguard their software and intellectual property while operating within national jurisdictions. The forthcoming policies are indicative of a broader trend of governments intensifying demands for software transparency in the interest of cybersecurity and data protection.
This regulatory proposal underscores the tension between national security priorities and the technology sector’s concerns regarding the confidentiality of proprietary software architectures. The final framework and implementation roadmap remain under active consideration, with the potential to reshape security compliance protocols for international smartphone manufacturers servicing the Indian market.
Industry observers continue to debate the potential impacts on innovation, privacy, and competitive dynamics as India pushes forward with its agenda to elevate cybersecurity standards amid growing geopolitical complexities and heightened concerns over digital surveillance.