India's government is pushing smartphone makers to hand over source code for security reviews, sparking industry pushback. The proposal is part of 83 new cybersecurity requirements targeting devices sold in the country. Officials want access to proprietary code to hunt for OS-level vulnerabilities that hackers might exploit.

Major players including Apple, Samsung, Google and Xiaomi are already objecting through industry group MAIT. These companies cite global privacy standards and corporate secrecy policies as barriers to compliance. The government has acknowledged concerns and plans further consultations.

Additional proposed rules include mandatory user controls for app permissions, uninstall restrictions for preloaded apps and advance notice for major software updates. India represents one of the world's largest smartphone markets, making these requirements potentially costly for manufacturers who must balance security compliance against intellectual property risks. No timeline has been set for implementation.