India’s "Always-On" GPS Proposal: Why Apple & Samsung Are Fighting It

Just when we thought the dust had settled on the Sanchar Saathi app controversy, a new, potentially more invasive storm is brewing in India’s tech ecosystem.

If you felt uncomfortable about the government asking manufacturers to pre-install an app to track lost phones, you might want to sit down for this one. According to breaking reports from Reuters and The Indian Express, the Indian government is currently reviewing a proposal that would mandate "Always-On" A-GPS (Assisted GPS) tracking on all smartphones sold in the country.

The kicker? The proposal reportedly suggests that you, the user, should not be able to turn it off.

Here is the no-nonsense breakdown of what is being proposed, why Apple and Samsung are reportedly terrified, and what this means for your digital privacy in 2025.

The Proposal: A "Dedicated Surveillance Device"?

Let’s cut through the noise. The proposal didn't originate from the government itself but from the COAI (Cellular Operators Association of India)—the lobby group representing telecom giants like Reliance Jio, Airtel, and Vi.

They have pitched a plan to the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) and the Home Ministry that would force handset manufacturers to fundamentally change how location services work in India.

The Core Demands:

1. Mandatory A-GPS: Smartphones would be required to keep Assisted GPS active permanently.
2. No "Off" Switch: The hardware or software toggle that lets you disable location services would be removed or overridden.
3. No Notifications: The proposal reportedly suggests disabling the little pop-ups or status bar icons that tell you "Location is being accessed," so targets wouldn't know they are being tracked.

The stated goal? Law enforcement.

Currently, when the police need to track a suspect, they rely on Cell Tower Triangulation. This is old-school tech. It gives a general search radius that can be off by hundreds of meters (or kilometers in rural areas).

A-GPS, on the other hand, combines satellite data with cellular data. It creates a location fix accurate to within a few meters. The government argues this precision is necessary for modern criminal investigations and emergency response.

Note: As of December 8, 2025, this is a proposal under review. It has not been signed into law or issued as a final notification by the DoT.

Big Tech’s Rare Unity: "This is horrifying"

You know things are serious when Apple, Google, and Samsung—companies that usually agree on absolutely nothing—form a united front.

Through their industry body, the ICEA (India Cellular & Electronics Association), these tech giants have reportedly pushed back hard against the proposal.

Why They Are Panicking:

1. Global Precedent (Or Lack Thereof): Apple has reportedly argued that no other democracy in the world mandates this. Even in highly regulated markets, users retain control over their hardware sensors.
2. The "Surveillance Device" Argument: Tech experts quoted in the reports bluntly state that removing the ability to disable GPS turns a personal communication device into a "dedicated surveillance device."
3. Security Risks: If you build a "backdoor" for the government to access location without the user knowing, you are effectively hanging a "Welcome" sign for hackers. If a cybercriminal exploits this "always-on" feature, they could track high-value targets (judges, politicians, CEOs) without them ever knowing.
4. Battery Drain: GPS is a battery hog. Running high-precision A-GPS 24/7 would decimate the battery life of even the most expensive iPhone or Galaxy Ultra.

The Technical Reality: Cell ID vs. A-GPS

For the tech-curious, here is why the difference matters.

The COAI argues that since they (the telcos) provide the connectivity, they should be able to provide precise data to the government. The handset makers (Apple/Samsung) argue that the device belongs to the user, and the sensors inside it (Camera, Mic, GPS) must remain under user control.

The Sanchar Saathi Context

You cannot view this news in a vacuum. It comes just days after the controversy surrounding Sanchar Saathi.

The Recap: The government recently ordered smartphone makers to pre-install the Sanchar Saathi app (designed to track lost phones and curb fraud).

The Backlash: Privacy advocates and opposition leaders raised hell, calling it potential "snooping."

The Result: The government clarified that the app is optional and can be deleted by the user.

However, this "Always-On GPS" proposal is different. You can delete an app. You cannot delete a firmware mandate that removes your "Location Off" button.

What Experts Disagree On

1. Legality: Privacy lawyers argue this violates the Puttaswamy judgment (Right to Privacy). The government may argue it falls under "Reasonable Restrictions" for national security and public order under the new Telecommunications Act 2023.
2. Implementation: Is it even technically possible to hide location usage from the OS (iOS/Android) kernel? Apple and Google control the Operating Systems; forcing them to rewrite the core privacy architecture of Android and iOS specifically for India is a massive, complex request.

Risks & Unknowns

There is a lot we don't know yet, and that’s the concerning part.

1. Will this apply to existing phones? Would a software update break the location toggle on your iPhone 15 or Galaxy S24?
2. Who gets access? Is it just the Police? Or tax authorities? Or traffic cops?
3. The "Hack" Factor: If a phone is transmitting precise coordinates 24/7 without a visual indicator, it is a stalker's dream come true if the data stream is intercepted.

Conclusion: The War for Your Sensors

We are moving into a new phase of the Indian internet. The government is asserting "digital sovereignty," which often translates to tighter control over hardware and data flow.

While catching criminals is a noble goal, the trade-off here is absolute visibility of every citizen's movement. If this proposal goes through, the "Airplane Mode" or "Location Off" toggle on your phone might become nothing more than a placebo button—a digital light switch that isn't connected to the bulb.

Next Step: We are monitoring the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) for an official response to the ICEA’s letter. As soon as the government issues a clarification or a draft notification, we will update this piece.

Stay tuned.