India’s privacy debate has entered a new phase as the government examines a proposal to force permanent A-GPS activation on every smartphone. The plan would keep location tracking active at all times, with no option to switch it off. This review began days after the government backed away from its earlier order to pre-install an undeletable state-run safety app on all phones.
The telecom industry revived the A-GPS idea, arguing that agencies need precise coordinates during investigations. Under the current system, officials only receive tower-based estimates that vary by several meters. The proposed mandate would change that overnight, giving authorities access to near one-meter accuracy.
Apple, Google, and Samsung pushed back during internal talks. They warned that this mandate creates legal and privacy risks. They also said it turns a smartphone into a tracking device by default. Their concern grew as the government scheduled meetings with phone makers, although the session was later postponed.
Industry Pushback and Rising Warnings
Separately, Reuters reported that the Cellular Operators Association of India first suggested the A-GPS mandate earlier this year. The group said agencies struggle with poor location accuracy and need a stronger system. The proposal suggests that every phone sold in India should ship with A-GPS locked in the “always active” state.
In another document viewed by Reuters, the India Cellular and Electronics Association responded with strong objections. The group represents Apple and Google, and it called the idea a regulatory overreach. It argued that no other country forces device-level tracking in this way. It also warned that the people most at risk include judges, journalists, corporate leaders, and those working with sensitive information.
Telecom companies complained about pop-up warnings that inform users when carriers try to access location data. They claimed that these alerts let targets know they are being tracked. They asked the government to order manufacturers to remove the warnings.
Privacy researchers raised deeper alarms. They said the plan turns a phone into a dedicated surveillance tool because A-GPS usually activates only during emergencies or app-specific tasks. With this change, you would lose direct control of your location access.
India has not made a final decision. Both ministries reviewing the proposal continue to study the documents as the debate grows louder, more complex, and far more urgent.
