The Modi Government’s Review of Mandatory GPS Tracking
The administration led by Prime Minister Modi is currently contemplating the implementation of a mandatory GPS tracking system via mobile devices. This comes despite widespread pushback from prominent smartphone manufacturers.
The dialogue surrounding this proposal gained momentum following the government’s withdrawal from enforcing the compulsory pre-installation of the Sanchar Saathi app on all mobile devices.
This prior initiative had incited significant trepidation among various stakeholders—from parliamentary members to everyday users—concerning issues of privacy and potential surveillance.
Tech behemoths such as Apple and Samsung have distinctly declined to endorse the government’s directive for pre-installation of the app.
Detractors, including opposition figures and technology analysts, contend that the obligatory installation of the Sanchar Saathi app could precipitate unregulated state surveillance and restrict consumer autonomy. The proposal for GPS tracking has similarly encountered a storm of criticism.
Reports suggest that the telecom sector is advocating for the enforcement of mandatory tracking measures, as discussions continue.
Compulsory Location Tracking
According to an exposé by Reuters, the Modi administration is reassessing a proposal from the telecom industry that would obligate smartphone manufacturers to incorporate satellite location tracking systems.
Presently, these companies rely on approximate location determination via cellular tower data, which can vary significantly. The Cellular Operators Association of India has proposed that, should the government requisition it, the precise location of users be supplied by smartphone companies through GPS technology, which utilizes satellite signals in conjunction with cellular data.
These details were uncovered in an internal communication from the federal IT ministry dated June.
Employing A-GPS technology would necessitate that location services remain perpetually active within smartphones, thus precluding any option for users to disable the feature.
Sources informed Reuters that global tech giants including Apple, Samsung, and Google have categorically rejected the GPS mandate put forth by government officials.
The India Cellular and Electronics Association, representing firms such as Apple and Google, has reportedly dismissed the proposal. According to Reuters, this consortium has communicated privately that instituting device-level location tracking lacks precedent on a global scale.
Furthermore, insights from Reuters indicate that the Home Ministry had scheduled a meeting with senior executives from the smartphone industry to deliberate this matter on Friday. However, this meeting has since been postponed, reportedly by the Home Ministry itself.
Source link: Newsx.com.
