The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has extended its security checks to include the software used by mobile phone companies, say news reports.
It has reportedly issued a directive to all operators to keep it in the loop about all software updates they undertake within 15 days and also keep records for a 10-year period.
Prior to this, the Ministry of Home Affairs had said that software updates were not part of the new rules governing the import of telecom equipment that were unveiled in 2011.
The Ministry of Home Affairs had asked DoT to make it compulsory for operators to keep updates of softwares for 12 months online and for a further two years in a non-online mode.
The Ministry had said that the documentation would enable it to identify the person who had issued commands for the software updates, including the changes that had been made.
