The controversy to citizen privacy and digital surveillance has once again come into focus in India. According to recent media reports, the central government is considering making A GPS, i.e. Assisted GPS, mandatory in smartphones. If this system is implemented, the location of the users will always be active. Global brands like Apple, Samsung and Google have called it a major threat to privacy.
According to sources, the government has not yet taken a final decision, but talks are ongoing between ministries and industry groups.
The issue emerged after the government clarified that it is not planning to make the Sanchar Saathi app mandatory on phones. In this case also the companies had raised issues of monitoring and data control.
According to reports, this proposal aims to increase the accuracy of location data. Currently, there is a difference of several meters in the location received from mobile towers. A GPS technology makes location more accurate by combining satellite and network data.
Big tech companies active on the issue of data security have given a clear message to the government that they are not in favor of keeping the location always active. He says that this will weaken the principle of user consent.
Cyber experts believe the government’s aim may be to improve emergency services response and crime control. However, they need more clarity on the potential impact on privacy.
Industry sources believe that the government may choose the route of new meetings, draft policy or public consultation on this proposal. All these steps will be evaluated within the same framework once the Data Protection Act comes into force.
