How Always-On Smartphone Location Tracking Became a National Discussion
Always-On Smartphone Location Tracking has become the centre of a major industry debate in India, as Apple, Google, and Samsung reportedly oppose a new government proposal that could mandate continuous device-level location monitoring. According to recent reports, the suggestion originated from the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), which urged the Government to require smartphone makers to integrate satellite-based Assisted GPS (A-GPS) that remains switched on at all times.
COAI argues that such always-active tracking would allow authorities to pinpoint a user’s location with meter-level accuracy, significantly improving criminal investigations and helping trace stolen or fraudulent devices. However, internal documents and communications reviewed by media outlets indicate that the proposal also recommends disabling users’ ability to turn off location services and removing pop-up alerts that currently notify users when their location is accessed.
This is precisely where the pushback intensifies. Industry bodies representing Apple and Google, along with Samsung, have reportedly warned the Government that enforcing permanent tracking would undermine user consent, compromise privacy, and expose vulnerable groups including journalists, defence personnel, and judiciary members. They also emphasised that no such mandate exists anywhere else globally.
While neither MeitY nor the Home Ministry has concluded, the ongoing discussions indicate that regulators are carefully weighing security advantages against long-term privacy implications. A stakeholder meeting originally planned to address the issue has been postponed, signalling that deliberations over always-on smartphone tracking policies may continue for some time.
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