The Indian government is currently evaluating a proposal that — if implemented — would mandate that all smartphones sold in India have always-on satellite-based GPS tracking enabled. This “always-on A-GPS” mandate aims to give law enforcement precise real-time location data but has sparked a fierce debate over privacy, civil liberties, and the role of state surveillance.
What’s the Proposal — Always-On A-GPS for Every Phone
- According to several reports, the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), which represents major telecom operators, has urged the government to require smartphones to keep assisted-GPS (A-GPS) — combining satellite signals and cellular data — permanently switched on.
- Under the proposed rule, users would not be allowed to disable location services — effectively making every phone a live tracking device for authorities
- The push for this mandate comes after repeated complaints by security agencies that current methods relying on telecom tower data give only approximate locations, often with a margin of error. A-GPS promises far more precise positioning, reportedly up to within about a meter.
Stakeholders Weigh In — Privacy vs Security
Concerns from tech firms and privacy advocates
- Leading smartphone manufacturers such as Apple, Google, and Samsung have reportedly opposed the proposal. They argue that making phones always locatable violates global privacy norms and could endanger sensitive individuals like journalists, judges, or security personnel.
- One industry lobby group described the proposal as “regulatory overreach.”
- Experts warn that enabling mandatory always-on tracking could effectively turn every smartphone into a “surveillance device.”
Arguments from telecom operators and government proponents
- Telecom operators via COAI argue that accurate, real-time location data is crucial for law enforcement and investigations. Tower-based data often fails to deliver precision.
- Proponents believe the measure could help tackle crime, track missing persons, and aid in emergencies with precise location capabilities — advantages traditional network-based tracking cannot reliably deliver.
Context — What Happened Before?
This proposal follows a recent controversial move by the government to mandate pre-installation of a state-run cybersecurity app on all phones, which was later revoked amid public backlash.
That reversal highlighted public and industry sensitivity around mandatory rules that affect user data and privacy — the A-GPS tracking proposal is now entering that same sensitive space.
What’s at Stake — Privacy, Security and Public Trust
This debate raises important questions:
- If always-on tracking becomes compulsory, every smartphone could become a surveillance tool — potentially eroding individual privacy and undermining trust in mobile devices.
- It could set a global precedent. No major country currently mandates satellite-level location tracking on all consumer smartphones. The Indian Express
- For users — especially vulnerable groups like journalists, dissidents, or security-sensitive individuals — such a rule could pose serious risks.
- On the flip side, law-enforcement authorities may gain stronger capabilities for crime investigation, emergency response, and national security.
What’s Next — No Decision Yet, High Stakes Ahead
As of now, the government has not passed any such mandate — the proposal remains under review by the relevant ministries. But given the size of India’s smartphone user base and the influence of telecom operators, this could evolve into a major policy shift soon.
Conclusion
The proposal to mandate always-on A-GPS on all smartphones in India — while rooted in security rationale — poses deep and far-reaching questions about privacy, civil liberties, and state power. How the government balances these conflicting priorities will not only shape technology policy in India, but may also influence global debates around digital rights and surveillance.
