Highlights
- India’s COAI suggested mandatory always-on A-GPS tracking for smartphones, enabling meter-level location accuracy.
- Apple, Google and Samsung strongly objected raising privacy concerns, while ICEA warned that the mandate has no global precedent.
- The government has not made a decision yet.
Caption – Brands Oppose India’s Proposal for Mandatory Always-On Smartphone Location Tracking. (Image credit – Unknown)
Apple, Google and Samsung have reportedly raised strong objections to a new proposal in India that seeks to mandate always-on location tracking in smartphones. The move comes after the Government received a proposal from the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) in June, which stated that precise user location data could be shared only if continuous device-level tracking is enforced. Here’s the full story.
India’s Proposal for Mandatory Always-On Smartphone Location Tracking
COAI, which represents major telecom operators like Reliance and Bharti Airtel, has reportedly suggested that smartphone manufacturers integrate satellite-based Assisted GPS (A-GPS) technology that stays active at all times. As per a Reuters report, an email reviewed by the publication indicates that this system would allow authorities to pinpoint user locations with meter-level accuracy. This tracking will be far more precise than the current cell-tower-based triangulation, which only provides approximate areas.
According to reports, neither MeitY nor the Home Ministry has made a decision yet, and a stakeholder meeting is expected soon. This comes shortly after the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) faced backlash and withdrew its circular mandating the Sanchar Saathi app.
Documents and internal emails examined by media outlets suggest the proposal also seeks to remove users’ ability to disable location services.
Currently, users receive pop-up notifications when carriers attempt to access their location data. The proposal reportedly wants those alerts removed as well. Supporters argue that these changes would prevent suspects from being tipped off during criminal investigations and would also help trace stolen or fraudulent devices more effectively.
On the other hand, the India Cellular & Electronics Association (ICEA), which represents Apple and Google, has reportedly raised serious concerns. According to reports, the association sent a confidential letter to the government in July, stating that such a mandate has no precedent “anywhere else in the world.” Samsung has also joined Apple and Google in urging the government not to proceed with these requirements.
Critics argue that enforcing always-on location tracking could undermine user privacy, expose sensitive individuals such as journalists, judges and defence personnel to surveillance risks, and violate global norms on user consent.
For now, the government has not reached a final decision. A meeting between regulators and smartphone makers was reportedly postponed indicating ongoing discussions and unresolved concerns around the proposal.
FAQs
Q1. What does India’s proposal for mandatory always-on location tracking involve?
Answer. The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) suggested integrating satellite-based A-GPS that stays active at all times, removing users’ ability to disable location services or receive alerts.
Q2. Why are Apple, Google, and Samsung opposing the proposal?
Answer. They argue it has no global precedent, raises serious privacy concerns, and could expose sensitive groups like journalists, judges, and defence personnel to surveillance risks.
Q3. Has the Indian government made a final decision on the proposal?
Answer. No, regulators have not yet decided. A stakeholder meeting was postponed, and discussions with smartphone makers are still ongoing.