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Recently, a proposal reached the Indian government, which, upon its disclosure, caused a stir across the country. The proposal was to keep GPS on phones at all times, making tracking easier. The proposal suggested keeping GPS tracking always on, without giving users the option to turn it off. Simply put, if the proposal is approved, the GPS on your phone will always be on, and you won't be able to turn it off even if you want to.

What's the matter?

The Council of Telecom Companies (COAI), which includes companies like Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone-Idea, has supported this proposal. COAI wants the government to mandate that A-GPS technology be always on in all devices. Assisted Global Positioning System (A-GPS) uses satellite signals and cellular data to pinpoint a person's exact location. On the other hand, the India Cellular & Electronics Association (ICEA), an organization representing companies like Apple, Google, and Samsung, stated in a confidential letter sent to the government in July that such a move would be "regulatory interference."

No such rule exists anywhere in the world.

The organization stated that the A-GPS network is not intended for surveillance. Furthermore, there are no examples of such location tracking in any other country. They stated that this proposal is not appropriate from a user security perspective. While such a proposal may be helpful to security agencies from a national security perspective, for an ordinary citizen, such a move could violate their privacy. Let's explore the dangers that keeping GPS on your phone always on can pose.

Dangers of Always-On Location

According to cybersecurity reports, keeping a phone's location always on allows apps and services to constantly track the user. This provides apps and services with unnecessary real-time user information. This allows profiles to be created by gathering information about a user's daily routine and habits. Apps can also target ads based on a user's preferences, increasing unwanted intrusion into their lives. On the other hand, leaving location tracking on a smartphone constantly drains the battery faster and reduces battery life.

Hackers Can Track

Another major disadvantage of always-on location tracking is that it makes it easier for hackers to gain direct access to you. If your phone is hacked and its GPS is on, hackers can also access your live location. This could allow criminals to access your home or even stalk you and physically harm you.

What Do Experts Say?
Industry experts say that there is no example of such device-level location monitoring in any other country in the world. Therefore, the government should consult with industry experts before implementing such a rule. However, the government has not yet decided on this proposal. It is noteworthy that a few days ago, the government had also made the Sancha Saathi App mandatory for all smartphones, but after huge opposition the decision had to be withdrawn.

Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from Amar Ujala. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.