India considers always-on GPS tracking, Apple, Samsung oppose

India is considering a proposal from its telecom industry to require smartphone makers to enable always-on satellite location tracking.

Apple, Google, and Samsung have opposed the plan, raising privacy and security concerns.

The Cellular Operators Association of India said the move would let authorities access more precise location data during investigations, as current methods rely on less accurate cellular tower information.

The proposal would mandate that users cannot disable location services.

Industry groups for Apple and Google said in a July letter that such a policy would be unprecedented globally and carry legal and privacy risks.

Experts noted that activating A-GPS at all times could allow authorities to track users to within about a meter.

No decision has been made, and government ministries are still reviewing the plan.

🔗 Source: Reuters

🧠 Food for thought

Implications, context, and why it matters.

Proposal lacks enforcement clarity and precedent, making feasibility uncertain

Always-on Assisted GPS (A-GPS) would force smartphone makers to keep satellite location active with no opt-out. It needs legal backing, yet no ministry has the brief to enforce it. MHA meeting was postponed, and no policy decision exists 1.
Cellular Operators Association of India pitched the change 1. No paper, draft rule, or timeline has surfaced 1.
Industry groups call it a mandate with “no global precedent” 1. India would pioneer untested tracking infrastructure without guides for rollout.
Government pulled back a similar step after privacy backlash 2. That earlier plan forced preloading of the Sanchar Saathi app, a government service to locate and block lost or stolen phones.

Opportunity for India-focused privacy tech serving compliance and user protection

Stricter rules would open room for enterprise Mobile Device Management (MDM) and consent tools. These help firms meet Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDP Act) consent standards 3 while managing location. Consent must be free and specific 3. It must be informed, unconditional, and unambiguous 3.
Developers can ship privacy-preserving location software development kits (SDKs) that store less data and use encryption, aligning with security safeguards 4. Penalties can reach INR 250 crores (2.5 billion) for data protection failures 4.
Startups can focus on Significant Data Fiduciaries, companies designated under the DPDP Act for volumes of personal or sensitive data 4. They face duties, including data protection impact assessments and audits 4. Offer tools that log lawful location processing and manage rights like correction and erasure 4.