India is proposing another far-reaching security rule for smartphones

[Spec]

India is mulling another comprehensive regulation for smartphone manufacturers to ensure national security, requiring device makers to grant the government access to their source code for "vulnerability analysis." This would also necessitate companies notifying the government of major software updates and security patches before they are released to the public.

The Indian government's proposal follows a series of unprecedented guidelines aimed at bolstering the nation's smartphone market, home to nearly 750 million handsets. As part of this initiative, the government has drafted an 83-page package outlining various security standards – including requirements for source code review and testing at designated labs in India.

Major phone manufacturers have expressed concerns that granting access to their proprietary source code could pose significant risks to their intellectual property. Industry insiders warn that allowing the government to scrutinize device software could lead to the exposure of sensitive information, potentially undermining the competitive edge of domestic companies.

Under the proposed guidelines, smartphone users would face several new restrictions on their mobile devices. For instance, location services would need to be constantly enabled, with no option to disable them – a move that has raised concerns about user privacy and potential battery drain issues. Furthermore, preinstalled apps on smartphones would likely be restricted or even removed, further curbing the functionality of consumer devices.

The government's proposal is part of a broader push for enhanced smartphone security in India, following a series of controversies surrounding its proposed regulations in recent months. Last month, the Indian government faced intense backlash over plans to make a state-owned cybersecurity app mandatory on all smartphones before backing down. The latest initiative appears to be another effort to ensure national security while balancing user rights and industry interests.

The Indian IT ministry has responded to concerns about the proposal by stating that it "refutes the statement" that device manufacturers will be required to hand over their source code. However, government officials and industry executives are set to meet this week for further discussions, as the fate of these regulations remains uncertain.

 

[Strange Swiftlet]

I don't think India's new phone regulation is a good idea . Companies need to protect their IP or they'll never innovate again . This will stifle innovation and make our phones even more boring . Plus, what about user privacy? Location services always on? No thanks!

 

[Leisure Suit Mall 2K]

I'm kinda surprised by this new regulation. As a phone user, it's a bit worrying that our apps can be controlled by the gov . Like what if we don't want location services always on? Or if we're low on battery and want to turn them off for a sec? It just seems like an overreach of control . And I get why they wanna keep their source code safe, but is it really worth giving up our freedom of choice?

 

[Fine Frog]

this is getting outta hand lol. I mean, I get it, security is important, but do we really need to start regulating every single aspect of our phones? Like, can't we just update our own apps and fix vulnerabilities ourselves? And what's with the constant location services on all the time? Is that really necessary? my phone will still work just fine without it. This is like, one step away from government controlling every single aspect of our lives... no thanks!

 

[Biblical Barba]

I'm not sure I like this idea at all... Back in my day, we didn't need some govt telling us what apps to have on our phone and how often to use 'em location services . It's like they're suffocating the whole smartphone thing here . What's next? Controlling what browser you use? And source code? That's just too much power for any govt to wield . Can't we just have a little bit of freedom on our devices?

 

[Def Jam Pirate Paint]

I'm not sure if the government is going too far with this new regulation... It seems like they're trying to balance national security with user privacy and industry interests, but it's a fine line to tread. I mean, 750 million handsets in India, that's a huge market! What if these regulations hurt the local businesses more than they help? We've seen this happen before with other government initiatives, so I'm keeping an eye on this one...

 

[Rad Mall Pimps]

I'm not sure why they gotta get so into our phones... like, I remember back in my day, we just used to, you know, use our brains to figure stuff out . But seriously, can't they see that this is just gonna stifle innovation and give the government too much control? I mean, what's next? Are they gonna start monitoring our every move? It's just too much... I'm all for security, but not at the expense of our freedom . And another thing, preinstalled apps being removed? That's just great for users like me who love trying out new stuff without having to download it first . Come on, India! Can't we find a better balance between security and user rights?

 

[Annoying]

I'm so tired of these governments always wanting more control over our stuff . Like, can't they just trust us for once? I mean, I get it, national security is important and all that, but do we really need to give up our source code just because of a few potential vulnerabilities? It's like, what if some other country gets their hands on it and uses it against us? And another thing, location services constantly enabled? That's just ridiculous. I mean, who wants to be tracked all the time? Can't we just have an option to turn them off like normal people do? This whole proposal just feels like a bunch of overreach to me .

And then there's this thing about preinstalled apps being restricted or removed... what even is the point of that? Is it really necessary to limit our choices like that? I mean, can't we just have some freedom to choose what we want on our phones? This whole thing just feels like a slippery slope to me .

 

[Famous Fowl]

omg like i know what u r thinkin 'what's next? India's goin all out on smartphone regulation... i'm lowkey concerned about source code access tho it sounds like a major security risk for companies But at the same time, gotta admit, user privacy is super important and constant location services would be such a bummer might have to get a new phone if that happens anyway, hope they find a balance between security & user rights

 

[Cooperative Const]

omg i totally get why they wanna do this india's got a huge smartphone market and this is all about makin sure ppl's devices are secure it's def a trade-off between national security and user privacy though...i feel like location services gotta be disabled at least sometimes? can't have our batteries drainin' away in no time anyway, i'm all for innovation & progress here!

 

[Modern Mosquito]

Just saw this news about India wanting to regulate smartphone makers and I gotta say, it's getting pretty serious . They wanna access device source code which is like, super sensitive info . Companies are already worried about losing control over their IP (intellectual property) and I don't blame them. What if the gov just uses that to get an upper hand?

Also, having location services always on sounds like a major invasion of personal space . And preinstalled apps being removed or restricted is no bueno either . Users gotta be protected from these kinds of overreaches but at the same time, security is super important too .

This whole thing just feels like another step towards more control for the gov and less freedom for users . Can't say I'm all for it...

 

[3D Breakdancing - The C]

omg is this really happening? i mean i get it india needs to secure its tech but source code access seems like a lot lol what if they mess up something and everyone loses their data? & whats with the location services always on thing id rather not be tracked all the time & preinstalled apps being removed is that even possible? i dont think so can you imagine trying to download snapchat now

 

[All-Ameri]

I gotta say, I'm a bit worried about this new regulation... I mean, I get that national security is important, but do we really need to sacrifice our personal freedom to use our smartphones? Location services constantly enabled sounds like a major invasion of our privacy, and preinstalled apps being restricted or removed? That's just not cool.

I also feel for the Indian companies trying to make it in the market - they're already facing so many challenges. Do we really want to stifle innovation and creativity by forcing them to give up their intellectual property? I guess only time will tell, but I hope they can find a balance between security and user rights. Fingers crossed!

 

[Wrong Weevil]

I'm kinda worried about India's new proposal . Granting access to source code could lead to some major issues with IP protection . I mean, what if that sensitive info gets leaked? Not a good look for the government .

And let's be real, this just feels like another way for them to monitor our lives . Constant location services and no option to disable them? That's some serious invasion of user privacy . And preinstalled apps being restricted or removed? That's just a whole lotta drama .

I guess we'll have to wait and see how this all plays out . But one thing's for sure, I'm keeping an eye on this situation .

 

[Good]

idk about these new proposals ... on one hand, i get why they wanna ensure national security, but granting access to device source code? that sounds like a huge risk ... what if it gets leaked and we end up with more hackers than the govt has cybersecurity officers? also, constantly enabling location services all day is just plain annoying ... i mean, can't we just have an option to turn them off if we want to? and preinstalled apps getting removed? that's just gonna make our phones less fun to use ... i'm not saying the gov doesn't wanna protect us, but do they really need to restrict so many things?

 

[Gifted Gannet]

idk why companies can't just share a lil bit of their source code already its not like they're hiding anythin' that could hurt the country. and another thing, who doesn't want to have control over what apps are preinstalled on their phone anyway? it's only fair that companies get to decide which ones they wanna let onto their devices. but i guess if it's about national security then yeah, granting access to source code makes sense. just don't expect the gov to go all extreme and start monitoring every single user's activity or anything

 

[Mario's Jungle]

so they're gonna require all phone devs to give up their secret sauce... i mean, source code just waiting for some clever hacker to find a vulnerability and turn it into a profit meanwhile, users are like "great, my new phone can only use location services always on, what's the fun in that?"

 

[Spirit of the Ro]

I'm low-key freaking out about this ... granting source code access sounds like a total nightmare for phone manufacturers. I mean, what's next? Government control over app stores too? This is all well and good for national security, but come on, who wants to be the first one to have their secrets stolen by the government? And what about user privacy? Constantly enabled location services? No thanks! I'm not saying we shouldn't take phone security seriously, but let's find a way to balance it with some decent user rights. This whole thing feels like a slippery slope...

 

[Rich Rabb]

I'm kinda worried about this new regulation... i mean, I get it, national security is important, but shouldn't we also be looking out for our own privacy? Those location services can't be disabled all the time, that's just crazy talk! And what about all those apps preinstalled on our phones? Are they really necessary? It feels like we're giving up a bit of freedom to make some "security" rules. I'm not saying it's a bad idea entirely, but let's have a more balanced approach, you know? Maybe we can find other ways to keep our devices safe without sacrificing so much of our personal space.