A report circulating on social media, attributed to Reuters, has sparked concern by claiming that India plans to force smartphone manufacturers to share their source code as part of a sweeping security overhaul. The claim, however, has now been officially debunked by the Government of India.

In a clear clarification issued under PIB Fact Check, authorities labelled the report false, stating that no such proposal exists at this stage.

What the Government Actually Said

According to the official clarification, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has not proposed any move that would compel smartphone makers to hand over their source code.

Instead, MeitY has only initiated stakeholder consultations — a routine process followed whenever new safety or security standards are being explored. These consultations involve discussions with industry players to understand technical, commercial, and security implications before any regulatory direction is considered.

Importantly, the government stressed that:

• No final framework has been drafted
• No binding regulation is in place
• No decision will be taken without due consultation with stakeholders

Why Stakeholder Consultations Matter

Officials clarified that stakeholder consultations are standard practice, not a signal of impending regulation. Once inputs are gathered, various aspects of mobile security are discussed with manufacturers, experts, and industry bodies. Only after this process concludes does the government evaluate whether any formal guidelines are even required.

At present, the process remains exploratory, not directive.

PIB Fact Check’s Message to the Public

Along with dismissing the claim, PIB Fact Check also urged users to verify information through official sources before believing or sharing reports that could create confusion or panic — especially around sensitive issues like digital security and technology regulation.

Final Words

The buzz around India forcing smartphone companies to share source code may have raised eyebrows, but the government has now put the speculation to rest. There is no proposal, no mandate, and no final decision — only early-stage discussions, which are routine in policymaking.

As the clarification makes clear, any future mobile security framework — if it even emerges — will be shaped in consultation with the industry, not imposed unilaterally.

For now, the claim stands officially debunked.

Source: Press Information Bureau (PIB Fact Check)