India’s New Phone-Tracking Push Sparks Privacy Storm

India’s privacy debate has entered a new storm this week. According to a Reuters report, the government is reviewing a proposal that could force smartphone makers to keep satellite-based location tracking permanently switched on. The move aims to give agencies exact user locations. However, it has triggered strong protests from Apple, Google, and Samsung.

A Proposal That Changes Everything

The telecom industry wants phones in India to run an always-on A-GPS system. It promises pinpoint accuracy, often within one meter. Agencies currently depend on telecom tower data, which offers only approximate locations. Therefore, the idea came from a long-running demand for more precise details during investigations.

However, this precision comes at a cost. It removes the user’s ability to turn off location services. That changes a normal smartphone into a permanent tracking device. And this is where the battle begins.

Tech Giants Push Back Hard

Apple, Google, and Samsung have pushed back sharply. They warned the government that such tracking is a major privacy red flag. Reuters reviewed internal letters from these firms’ lobby groups, which say that no country has ever mandated device-level surveillance like this.

Moreover, they argued that the change could put key groups at risk. Their concerns include military personnel, judges, corporate leaders, journalists, and anyone holding sensitive data. They said the proposed system could easily expose these users to targeted threats.

A Policy Without Global Precedent

Experts also raised alarms. Digital forensics specialists told Reuters that phones would effectively become dedicated surveillance tools. They said they have seen no similar mandate anywhere in the world. Even countries with strict monitoring rules stop short of forcing hardware-level tracking.

Additionally, the proposal demands that smartphone makers disable pop-up alerts. Phones currently warn users when carriers attempt to access location data. Telecos want these warnings removed because they alert targets during investigations. Privacy advocates say these alerts protect user rights. They help maintain transparency. They also preserve control.

A Tense Week for India’s Tech Policy

The debate erupted just days after the government rolled back another controversial move. The earlier order required all phones to preload a state-backed cyber safety app. Activists and politicians questioned potential misuse. As a result, the government withdrew the order under heavy pressure.

Now, the new location-tracking proposal is under scrutiny from the IT and home ministries. No final decision has been made. Yet, the pushback from smartphone companies signals that the battle will only intensify.

The Stakes Are Now Higher

India is the world’s second-largest smartphone market. Android dominates more than 95% of the devices. Any change here affects hundreds of millions of users. With more digital services, more data, and more surveillance tools, privacy has become a trending national keyword—and a major concern.

The core question remains simple:
How much location data should the state collect?
And equally important:
Who gets to decide?

As the review continues, the country stands at a critical crossroads. The push for security is strong. Yet the fight for privacy grows louder.