A proposal requiring smartphone manufacturers to keep satellite-assisted GPS permanently active on all devices has sparked a strong pushback from tech giants, with Apple formally objecting to what it calls an excessive regulatory mandate.
Telecom industry seeks always-on GPS
The proposal, submitted by the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), argues that existing cell-tower triangulation does not provide location accuracy sufficient for law-enforcement investigations. The industry wants authorities to have access to meter-level coordinates, which only satellite-enabled GPS can provide.
Currently, GPS activates only when a user grants app-level permission or when an emergency call is placed. Under the proposed framework, smartphone makers such as Apple would need to ensure the GPS chip remains active 24/7, with no option for users to disable it.
The COAI has also requested the government to prohibit smartphone makers from displaying pop-up notifications that alert users when carriers attempt to access location information.
Apple, Google flag privacy and regulatory concerns
Apple, represented through the India Cellular & Electronics Association (ICEA), has warned the government that permanent GPS activation would amount to regulatory overreach and would undermine internationally accepted norms around user privacy and device autonomy.
In a July letter, the ICEA—whose members include both Apple and Google—cautioned that such requirements could set a troubling precedent, impact user trust and potentially violate global privacy standards.
The companies are also concerned about battery drain, device overheating and long-term hardware performance if GPS is forced to run continuously.
Government under scrutiny after past backlash
The debate comes just weeks after India withdrew a separate, controversial directive requiring all smartphone makers to preinstall a government app and prevent users from disabling it. The move faced widespread criticism from consumer-rights advocates and technology firms, leading to its reversal.
The latest proposal is expected to undergo further consultations as the government attempts to balance public safety, user privacy, and industry concerns.