The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has dismissed recent media reports suggesting it plans to force phone makers like Apple and Xiaomi to disclose their operating systems’ core source code. The Ministry called the discussions "routine" and said it has an "open mind" about how talks progress. "These consultations are part of the Ministry’s regular and ongoing engagement with industry on safety and security standards," said MeitY in a press release. The Ministry explained it is engaging with industry leaders to understand technical challenges and global practices better. It repeated that all legitimate industry concerns will be considered fairly to benefit both the country and businesses. A senior government official also disputed the media report, which was based on the Indian Telecom Security Assurance Requirements (ITSAR) document from 2023, issued by a department under the Telecom Ministry. The ITSAR mentions openness to third-party audits of source code and notifying the government before software updates reach users. The official said the discussions started after the Telecommunications Act, 2023 was enacted. Smartphone makers asked to come under the supervision of a single ministry. MeitY took over this role from the Department of Telecommunications and continued the consultations. So far, no smartphone maker has raised concerns about the consultation process. The India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA), which represents phone makers and works closely with the government, said the requirements are "not a new issue" and described the talks as "transparent and in-depth consultation with specific stakeholders." Published on January 12, 2026, at 09:58 pm IST.