India Considers Mandating Always-On Location Tracking for Smartphones
New Delhi – India is evaluating a proposal that would require smartphone manufacturers to activate always-on satellite location tracking, enabling precise government surveillance of mobile devices. The proposal, originating from the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) – representing Reliance’s Jio and Bharti Airtel - aims to address concerns about the limited accuracy of current location data obtained thru cellular tower triangulation during investigations.
According to a June internal email from India’s IT ministry,the COAI suggests activating Assisted GPS (A-GPS) technology,which combines satellite signals and cellular data,to provide more precise location details. This would necessitate permanently enabling location services on smartphones, removing user control over the feature.
Apple, Google, and Samsung have reportedly expressed opposition to a mandated A-GPS activation to Indian officials, according to three sources familiar with the discussions.
the India Cellular & Electronics Association (ICEA),representing Apple and google,argued in a confidential July letter to the government that such a measure “would be a regulatory overreach” and has “no precedent anywhere else in the world.” The letter further stated that “the A-GPS network service… (is) not deployed or supported for location surveillance.”
The debate follows a recent reversal by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, which was forced to withdraw an order requiring smartphone makers to preload a state-run cyber safety app after facing public criticism and privacy concerns.
