Your Live Location Tracked: What’s Govt’s plan?

The government of India has been taking several radical decisions with regard to the Sanchar Saathi app. The Indian government is reportedly examining a proposal that could require all smartphones in the country to have “always-on” location tracking.

This plan suggests that every device must keep A-GPS active at all times, ensuring authorities can access precise, real-time location data whenever needed for legal or security purposes. At present, telecom operators only provide approximate locations using nearby mobile towers, which often lack accuracy.

The proposal was put forward by the Cellular Operators Association of India, which represents major telecom companies.

They argue that accurate tracking is only possible if satellite-based GPS remains continuously enabled. If implemented, users would not be able to switch off location services, disable GPS, or block tracking notifications on their devices.

However, leading smartphone makers such as Apple, Google, and Samsung have raised strong objections. They believe such a move would violate user privacy, create major security concerns, and lead to intrusive surveillance.

Industry groups representing these companies have warned that removing user control over location settings would set a dangerous precedent and affect consumer trust.

For now, the government has not made any final decision. Discussions are ongoing, and officials are still evaluating the legal, technical, and privacy implications before moving forward.