Data security: Centre may grant handset makers time – The Hindu–29.08.2017

The Centre is likely to extend the last date for handset companies to submit details on their security practices to safeguard users’ personal data after a majority failed to meet the August 28 deadline.

Following reports of data leakage and theft, the government had asked about 30 smartphone vendors to provide details of practices and procedures they follow to ensure that user data remains safe.

Chinese brands

These companies — including Chinese firms such as Vivo, Oppo, Xiaomi, OnePlus and Gionee — besides others inclusive of Apple, Samsung and Micromax, were given eight days to respond.

“We have got responses from 12 companies — HTC, Xiaomi, Comio, Vivo, Lenovo, HMD, Mtech, Intex, One Plus, Huawei, Honor and In Focus,” a top ministry official said.

The official added that four companies — Sony, Apple, Samsung and Oppo, had requested more time to respond.

“Given that majority of companies have not responded, we may extend last date and give them more time,” the official said, adding that there is an urgent need to ensure safety and security of mobile phones, especially in the light of the government’s digitisation push.

“We had asked them to provide details of all the procedures, architecture, frameworks, and standards adopted by them.”