India’s government is considering a controversial proposal that could require smartphone manufacturers to enable satellite location tracking on all devices permanently.
The plan has sparked significant backlash from major tech companies, including Apple, Google, and Samsung, who argue the measure poses serious privacy and security risks.
The proposal originates in India’s telecom industry, specifically the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), which represents major carriers such as Jio and Bharti Airtel.
The telecom firms have requested that the government mandate activation of A-GPS technology.
This system combines satellite signals with cellular data to provide precise location information. The critical catch is that users cannot turn this feature off.
For years, India’s government has struggled to obtain accurate location data for criminal investigations.
Currently, telecom companies can only provide cellular tower-based estimates that may be off by several meters.
The proposed always-on system would deliver precise, real-time location tracking without user control, addressing this investigative challenge but at a significant privacy cost.
The three tech giants have strongly opposed the mandate. The India Cellular & Electronics Association (ICEA), which represents both Apple and Google, submitted a confidential letter to the government in July, arguing that the measure would constitute “regulatory overreach.”
According to the letter, A-GPS networks are not designed for surveillance purposes, and device-level location tracking has no precedent at the global level.
This controversy arrives at a sensitive moment for India’s digital privacy landscape.
Just this week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government was forced to rescind an order requiring smartphone makers to preload a state-run cyber safety app called Sanchar Saathi after widespread concerns about potential government surveillance and snooping.
According to Reuters, the debate reflects a fundamental tension between national security objectives and individual privacy rights.
While law enforcement agencies argue that precise location data would improve investigation capabilities, privacy advocates warn that always-on tracking could enable mass surveillance and abuse.
Industry experts note that no other country has implemented such mandatory device-level location surveillance, making India’s potential move unprecedented globally.
The Home Ministry had scheduled a meeting with top smartphone executives to discuss the proposal, though it was postponed.
As deliberations continue, the outcome will likely shape global privacy standards and set precedents for how governments can mandate surveillance capabilities on consumer devices.
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