**Indian Government Considers A-GPS Requirement: A New Privacy Dilemma**
Following its decision to abandon the contentious requirement of preloading a state-operated “security” application on every smartphone, the Indian government seems to be entering an even larger privacy dispute. This week, negotiations with smartphone manufacturers concluded with the Indian government retracting its directive to pre-install an undeletable state-operated application on all devices sold domestically. Now, as reported by Reuters, the Modi administration is contemplating the requirement for smartphone manufacturers to turn on Assisted GPS (A-GPS) technology, which utilizes satellite signals and cellular data to accurately track users within approximately one meter.
This idea was initially proposed earlier this year by the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), propelled by worries from the Modi government that its agencies do not obtain exact locations when legal demands are made to telecom companies during probes. At present, location data is dependent on cellular tower information, which is less precise.
Apple and Google have voiced their disapproval of the proposal, referring to it as “a regulatory overreach” and emphasizing possible legal, privacy, and national security issues. Currently, A-GPS is only activated in specific circumstances, such as emergency calls, but the suggested requirement would mandate its continuous activation.
Reuters sources mentioned that government officials were meant to convene with leading smartphone industry figures to deliberate on the matter, but the meeting was delayed. The agenda would likely include discussions on surveillance notifications, which the COAI considers a nuisance. The telecom association highlighted that even the conventional method of location tracking is becoming troublesome, as smartphone companies present pop-up messages informing users that their carrier is trying to access their location. This transparency enables targets to recognize that they are under surveillance by security agencies, prompting the telecom group to advocate for the government to direct phone manufacturers to disable these pop-up notifications.
As the Indian government maneuvers through this intricate domain of privacy and surveillance, the ramifications of a potential A-GPS requirement pose substantial inquiries regarding user privacy rights and the equilibrium between national security and personal liberties.
