The government has asked all smartphone companies, majority of them Chinese manufacturers, to outline the procedures and processes adopted by them to ensure security and privacy of users' data.

The directive comes amid standoff between India and China over Doklam, as also rising concerns over imports of Chinese IT and telecom products.

"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.