Smartphone companies come under government lens over users’ data security

The IT ministry has written to 21 smartphones makers and majority of these companies are Chinese device manufacturers.

Government officials say issue was critical given surge in e-commerce transactions and digital payments. photo:pradeep gaur/mint

The Indian government has sought the smartphone companies, mostly Chinese brands, to outline the procedures and processes adopted by them to ensure security and privacy of users' data. The move comes in the wake of standoff between Indian and China over the Doklam issue and growing concerns overs Chinese IT and telecom products in the Indian market.

"The ministry has given time till August 28 to all companies to furnish their responses," a senior IT Ministry official said. The official pointed to international and domestic reports about data leaks from mobile phones and said that in the first phase, devices and preloaded software and apps will be under scrutiny. Based on the response of the companies, the ministry will initiate verification and audit of devices where required. It has also warned of penalties under provisions of IT Act 43 (A) in case stipulated processes are not being followed.

The official said the objective of the exercise is to ensure that required data security measures are being taken with regard to hardware and software in mobile phones.

In all, the IT ministry has written to 21 smartphones makers and majority of these companies are Chinese device manufacturers, the official said. "Any device sold in the country should be compliant with global security standards. If companies fail to comply, further action will be taken," said the official who did not wish to be identified.

IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad had called a meeting of senior officials in the department, and representatives of Cert-In and others on August 14 to take stock of the situation, the official added.

The official added that the issue was critical given surge in e-commerce transactions and digital payments.