India’s government is examining a controversial proposal from the country’s top telecom lobby, the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), that seeks to mandate always-on satellite-based location tracking on smartphones for enhanced surveillance and law-enforcement capabilities.
The proposal, submitted in June–July 2025, is currently under review by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the Union Home Ministry. However, it has already triggered strong opposition from Apple, Google and Samsung, citing serious privacy and security risks, according to a Reuters report.
What the COAI Is Proposing
COAI, which represents major telecom operators such as Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, has urged the government to mandate continuous activation of Assisted Global Positioning System (A-GPS) at the device level.
Under the proposal:
A-GPS would run 24/7, even without any app requesting location.
Users would not receive location access notifications.
There would be no option to disable satellite-based tracking.
Authorities would be able to track smartphones at meter-level accuracy.
This would mark a dramatic shift from the current system, where location tracking is user-controlled and app-specific.
Meter-Level Tracking for Law Enforcement
At present, law enforcement mainly relies on cell tower triangulation, which typically offers location accuracy within hundreds of meters. In contrast, A-GPS — using both satellite and network assistance — can locate a device with precision of around one meter under ideal conditions.
Internal COAI communications claim such precision would:
Improve criminal investigations
Aid in rescue operations
Help in the recovery of stolen smartphones
Telecom operators argue that India’s massive digital footprint and hundreds of millions of mobile users make stronger geolocation tools essential for public safety.
Strong Pushback from Tech Industry
The proposal has drawn sharp resistance from the India Cellular & Electronics Association (ICEA), which represents Apple and Google. The industry body has reportedly told the government that no other country in the world mandates continuous satellite tracking at the device level.
Samsung has raised similar objections.
Industry leaders warn that:
The proposal would undermine India’s privacy framework
It could enable mass surveillance without consent
It may expose journalists, activists, judges, diplomats and defence personnel to heightened security risks
Continuous tracking could introduce new cybersecurity vulnerabilities, especially in the event of data breaches
Government Yet to Take a Final Call
Officials from MeitY and the Home Ministry have not yet made a final decision. A formal stakeholder consultation involving smartphone manufacturers, telecom companies and civil-society groups is expected soon.
The debate follows recent backlash against the Department of Telecommunications’ Sanchar Saathi app, whose mandatory installation requirement was later withdrawn after widespread public and industry criticism.
If implemented, India — with around 735 million smartphones as of mid-2025, 95% of which run on Android and the rest on iOS, according to Counterpoint Research — would become the largest market globally to enforce such a sweeping surveillance mechanism.
What Is Assisted GPS (A-GPS)?
1. What Is A-GPS?
A-GPS is an enhanced version of traditional GPS that combines:
Satellite signals
Mobile network and internet data
This allows for faster and more accurate location detection, especially in cities and indoor environments.
2. How A-GPS Works
The phone receives signals from GPS satellites.
Mobile networks provide:
Satellite position data
Time correction
Nearby tower locations
The device then fuses both data sources to pinpoint its location with high precision.
3. Current Global Usage
At present, A-GPS activates only when:
A user opens navigation apps
An app requests location
Emergency services (112) are used
High-accuracy mode is enabled by the user
It does not run continuously by default.
4. What Would Change If COAI’s Proposal Is Approved
A-GPS would be always active
Users would lose control over switching off tracking
Location access would be silent and invisible
Authorities could track any smartphone round-the-clock with meter-level accuracy
Why the Proposal Is Controversial
Privacy & Civil Liberties: Enables continuous real-time surveillance of all users
Security Risks: Larger volumes of location data increase breach exposure
No Global Precedent: No country enforces system-level permanent satellite tracking
Targeted Risk: High-risk exposure for journalists, judges, defence staff, and activists
What Happens Next?
The government is expected to initiate a multi-stakeholder consultation process before taking a final call. The decision from MeitY and the Home Ministry will determine whether India moves toward what could become one of the most sweeping smartphone surveillance frameworks in the world.
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