The Union government is examining a telecom industry proposal that would require smartphone manufacturers to keep satellite-based location tracking permanently activated on all devices in India. The measure, intended to support more precise location access for law-enforcement investigations, has drawn strong objections from Apple, Google and Samsung over privacy concerns, according to internal documents, industry correspondence and officials familiar with the discussions.
The review comes days after the Centre withdrew an earlier directive mandating the preloading of a state-run cyber safety app on new smartphones, following widespread criticism from digital rights groups, political leaders and privacy advocates.
Telecom industry seeks more accurate location data
For several years, investigative agencies have complained that current location-tracking capabilities—based on mobile tower information—are too imprecise, often providing only an estimated location that may be several metres off. The Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) has argued that enabling Assisted GPS (A-GPS) technology on all smartphones by default would allow authorities to pinpoint users more accurately during legally sanctioned inquiries.
Internal communication from June between the COAI and the IT Ministry shows the operators’ view that such accuracy is only possible if smartphone makers are required to activate A-GPS continuously, with no option for users to deactivate it.
Tech companies warn of privacy overreach
Apple, Google and Samsung have jointly told the government that enforcing always-on satellite tracking would compromise user privacy at an unprecedented scale. In a confidential July letter accessed by Reuters, the India Cellular & Electronics Association (ICEA)—which represents the companies—stated that there is “no global precedent” for such mandatory tracking.
The letter warned that the proposal would turn smartphones into “dedicated surveillance devices”, raising risks for sensitive user groups such as journalists, judges, military personnel and senior executives.
Industry experts have echoed these concerns. Junade Ali, a digital forensics specialist with the UK’s Institution of Engineering and Technology, said such a system could allow individuals to be tracked to within one metre, a level of precision typically reserved for emergency services. Cooper Quintin of the Electronic Frontier Foundation described the idea as “horrifying”, noting he had not encountered similar proposals elsewhere.
Government yet to take a final call
The Home Ministry had scheduled a meeting with top industry leaders this week to deliberate on the matter, though it was postponed. Both the IT and Home Ministries are currently analysing inputs from telecom operators, smartphone companies and civil society groups. So far, neither ministry has issued an official statement, and sources indicate that no final decision has been taken.
Major smartphone makers and telecom operators, including Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, also declined to comment publicly.
Transparency concerns over user alerts
Telecom operators have raised additional concerns about device notifications that appear when carriers seek location data. These pop-ups, which inform users that their location is being accessed, “alert targets during investigations”, according to the COAI. The group has urged the government to instruct smartphone makers to disable such alerts.
However, in its July letter, the ICEA argued that disabling pop-ups would undermine transparency and violate users’ right to know when their location is being accessed. It stressed that maintaining alerts is essential for “user control and trust”.
Broader context: global surveillance debates
Governments worldwide continue to explore new ways to access mobile location data for security purposes. While countries such as Russia mandate the installation of state-backed apps on all devices, industry groups maintain that India’s proposed mandatory satellite tracking would represent a far more intrusive shift.
With an estimated 735 million smartphones in use across India—most running Android and the rest on iOS—the outcome of this debate could significantly reshape digital privacy norms in one of the world’s largest mobile markets.