A recent report by Reuters claimed that India had proposed forcing smartphone manufacturers to share their software source code with the government. The story quickly drew attention online. It also sparked debate about data privacy and digital security policies.
However, the Press Information Bureau (PIB) Fact Check has now called this claim fake and confirmed that no such proposal has been made by the Indian government. Read the article to know more.
What the Government Said
According to the PIB’s official post on X, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has not proposed any rule or measure requiring smartphone makers to share their source code. The ministry clarified that it has only started stakeholder consultations to decide the most suitable regulatory framework for mobile security in India.
A news report by @Reuters claims that India proposes forcing smartphone manufacturers to share their source code as part of a security overhaul.
❌ This claim is #FAKE
▶️ The Government of India has NOT proposed any measure to force smartphone manufacturers to… pic.twitter.com/0bnw0KQL9Q
— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) January 11, 2026
Moreover, officials said these discussions are routine exercises held to frame safety standards and ensure cybersecurity across devices.
What the Fake Report Claimed
The Reuters article, published on January 11, 2026, alleged that India planned to compel smartphone companies to hand over their source code as part of a wider security overhaul. It also mentioned that several major global tech firms had raised objections. The government has dismissed this report as incorrect and misleading.
What This Means for Users
No regulation or rule has been issued that asks manufacturers to share source code with the government. Users are urged to rely only on official government sources for verified information and avoid believing or spreading unconfirmed reports.
The PIB also reminded citizens to check facts before sharing news online. This emphasises that India’s digital security policies will continue to evolve transparently and in consultation with all stakeholders.
