Table of Contents
- Introduction: What’s Proposed?
- What Is A-GPS and What Does “Always-On” Mean?
- Why the Government and Telecom Industry Want Location Tracking
- Why Apple, Google & Samsung (and Privacy Advocates) Are Against It
- Potential Privacy, Security and Civil-Liberties Risks
- What Happens Next & What Should Users Know
- Related Reads
Introduction: What’s Proposed?
India’s government is currently reviewing a proposal from the telecom industry to mandate that all smartphones sold or used in the country have their satellite-based location tracking (A-GPS) always switched on, with no option for users to disable it.
The move, apparently backed by the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), is meant to give law enforcement agencies access to precise, real-time user location data whenever required — a sharp departure from the current system, which relies on cell-tower triangulation and offers only approximate location information.
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What Is A-GPS and What Does “Always-On” Mean?
A-GPS (Assisted Global Positioning System) combines satellite signals with cellular data and other inputs to pinpoint a device’s location — often accurately down to a few metres. However, under normal usage, A-GPS is activated only when an app needs location services (navigation, ride-hailing, maps, etc.).
The proposed mandate would disable this choice: smartphones would operate as if constantly connected to a global satellite tracker, sending precise location data continuously — effectively turning every personal phone into a “dedicated surveillance device.”
Why the Government and Telecom Industry Want Location Tracking
For years, authorities have expressed frustration that during investigations, telecom data alone — based on cell-tower logs — provides only a rough estimate of a user’s whereabouts. These limitations can frustrate urgent criminal investigations, especially for serious crimes requiring precise location data.
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By mandating always-on A-GPS tracking, law enforcement could theoretically access exact coordinates at any time, improving response speed and evidence precision. Telecom firms argue that under the present arrangement they cannot guarantee timely delivery of location information to agencies.
Why Apple, Google & Samsung (and Privacy Advocates) Are Against It
Major smartphone makers — Apple, Google (Android), and Samsung — have reportedly strongly opposed the proposal. They argue that non-disablable tracking would breach basic privacy norms, particularly user consent and control over personal data.
In a confidential letter to the government, the India Cellular & Electronics Association (ICEA) — representing Apple and Google — warned that the proposed measure amounts to regulatory overreach. They argued that using A-GPS for always-on surveillance is not what the technology was designed for and also poses broader legal and security concerns, especially for sensitive users such as journalists, judges, defence personnel, and corporate executives.
Potential Privacy, Security and Civil-Liberties Risks
Privacy experts and civil-liberties advocates have raised serious alarms. Continuous location tracking could reveal intimate patterns of life — daily routines, movements, frequent locations — effectively enabling surveillance not just by law enforcement, but potentially by anyone with access to the data.
As one critic put it, forcing always-on location tracking “turns phones into dedicated surveillance devices.”
Beyond location, a study by IIT Delhi showed that fine-grained GPS data — if misused — can betray far more than just where you are; it can allow inference of user activity and context (whether in a parked car, indoor room, or crowded public space), raising deep concerns about ambient surveillance.
Moreover, earlier this week India witnessed a privacy backlash when the government tried to mandate pre-installation of its state-run cyber-safety app Sanchar Saathi on all phones. That order was quickly revoked after protests from tech firms and privacy advocates, underscoring public sensitivity to digital surveillance and lack of user consent.
What Happens Next & What Should Users Know
As of writing, no final decision has been taken by India’s IT or Home Ministry, though deliberations continue. A scheduled meeting with smartphone manufacturers was reportedly postponed — underscoring the complexity and controversy surrounding the issue.
For Indian smartphone users — that’s around 735 million devices as of mid-2025 — the stakes are high. If implemented, the mandate could significantly erode privacy and personal autonomy.
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Given rising global concerns over digital rights, it will be crucial for civil-society organisations, data-privacy groups, and lawmakers to ensure that any surveillance proposal includes adequate legal safeguards, transparency, clear accountability, and perhaps most importantly — user consent.
Related Reads
By The Morning News Informer — Updated 5 December 2025
