Dismissing viral reports as erroneous, the Government of India has confirmed no plans exist to require smartphone vendors to share source code. This statement seeks to restore confidence in a sector pivotal to the nation’s Atmanirbhar Bharat vision.
The misinformation wave crested with claims of an impending mandate, allegedly to fortify app ecosystems against cyber threats. Outlets speculated on implications for giants like Google, whose Android kernel underpins 95% of Indian devices.
MeitY acted decisively, issuing a point-by-point refutation. ‘No such instructions have been imparted to any company,’ it stated, redirecting focus to voluntary bug bounty programs and AI-driven security tools. This aligns with the Digital Personal Data Protection Act’s emphasis on accountability without invasive access.
Economically, the stakes are high. PLI 2.0 has channeled $10 billion in investments, creating 600,000 jobs. A code-sharing edict risked reversing gains, prompting OEMs to diversify to Vietnam or Indonesia. Analysts at IDC predict India’s smartphone revenue to exceed $40 billion this fiscal.
The episode reveals fault lines in policy communication. While security imperatives grow—evident in rising ransomware attacks—industry input via FICCI and NASSCOM is crucial. Positive notes include surging 5G adoption at 20% and indigenous OS experiments.
Ultimately, the clarification fortifies India’s appeal as a balanced regulator. By prioritizing partnerships over mandates, the government charts a course for sustainable tech leadership, ensuring innovation thrives in a safeguarded digital frontier.