India plans to permanently activate A-GPS, sparking renewed criticism

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India is once again sparking debate about data privacy and digital surveillance. After withdrawing the mandate for a government security app on smartphones, the government is now considering a measure that would have an even greater impact on daily life. At the heart of this is A-GPS, a technology that provides precise location data and is currently only active in specific situations.

India's digital infrastructure is caught between security interests and the protection of private data. The government wants to provide law enforcement agencies with more precise location information, while technology companies point to legal limitations and data privacy risks. The potential mandatory use of A-GPS illustrates how complex this balance is for a country that is increasingly relying on digital solutions.

India is considering permanently activating A-GPS

Shortly after the end of a dispute over a pre-installed, non-deletable government app, the Indian government is considering a new regulation. This time, it concerns the requirement that A-GPS remain switched on around the clock on all smartphones. A-GPS uses satellite signals and mobile network data and can determine location to within about one meter.

The proposal was put forward earlier this year by the Cellular Operators Association of India. It stemmed from concerns that law enforcement agencies receiving insufficiently precise location data when making legal inquiries to telecommunications companies. The current data often relies solely on cell tower data. While this provides a general area, it lacks the accuracy offered by A-GPS.

Resistance from Apple and Google

Technology companies have already reacted critically. Apple and Google have described the plan as regulatory overreaction. Both companies point to legal risks and clear data privacy concerns. National security issues are also being raised, as the permanent transmission of location data could create new attack vectors.

Currently, A-GPS is only activated in exceptional situations such as emergency calls. Permanent activation would make this exception the rule, thus creating a new basic requirement for smartphones in India.

Discussion about surveillance warnings

In connection with the A-GPS proposal, further complaints have come from the telecommunications industry. The COAI criticizes pop-up notifications that appear when a mobile network operator attempts to access location data. These notifications inform users that their location is being requested. The group argues that this makes it too easy to identify when a target individual is being monitored by security agencies. Therefore, it is demanding that the government instruct smartphone manufacturers to disable these warnings.

Postponed meeting between government and industry

A meeting between government representatives and smartphone industry executives was planned to discuss these issues. However, according to industry sources, this meeting has been postponed. This leaves it unclear how quickly the government intends to reach a decision and whether the proposal will remain in its current form.

India faces a decision with far-reaching consequences

India faces a crucial decision with the potential introduction of mandatory A-GPS. This measure would enable significantly more precise and continuous location tracking, thereby expanding the scope of action for law enforcement. At the same time, the debate over the protection of personal data and the role of major smartphone manufacturers is intensifying. The postponed talks indicate that a decision has not yet been reached. However, it is clear that the question of how much surveillance is acceptable in everyday digital life is gaining further importance in India. (Image: Shutterstock / Titima Ongkantong)