The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) clarified over the weekend that a recent media report suggesting the government plans to require phone makers like Apple and Xiaomi to share their operating systems’ core source code is misleading. The Ministry said the discussions are routine consultations and that the government has an “open mind” about how talks with phone makers progress.
“These consultations are part of the Ministry’s regular engagement with the industry on safety and security standards,” MeitY said in a press statement. The Ministry added that it has been working with industry representatives to understand technical challenges, compliance requirements, and international best practices followed by smartphone manufacturers.
The Ministry emphasized that all legitimate concerns raised by the industry will be considered carefully, with the aim of balancing the interests of both the country and the smartphone industry.
This clarification comes amid ongoing conversations between the government and mobile phone companies about ensuring device security while avoiding unnecessary compliance burdens.