India’s central government is reviewing a proposal that could significantly broaden its ability to access real-time phone-location data from telecom operators and smartphone makers. The draft policy—circulated internally within the Ministry of Communications—aims to streamline law enforcement access to device tracking during investigations, emergencies and national security operations.

📌 Tech Giants Warn of Privacy and Security Risks

Apple, Google and Samsung have pushed back strongly against the proposal, according to multiple industry sources familiar with the discussions. Companies argue that expanding compulsory location-sharing could weaken established privacy protections, expose users to intrusive surveillance, and potentially open pathways for misuse.

Apple in particular stressed that device-level location data is protected by its built-in security architecture and cannot be simply “unlocked” without undermining system-wide safeguards.

📌 Current Law vs. Proposed Expansion

Today, Indian authorities can request tower-based location information from telecom operators under lawful orders. The proposed expansion appears to widen this scope by allowing agencies to seek more granular device-level location data, including:

• Continuous tracking for defined cases

• Rapid location retrieval without lengthy procedural delays

• Possible mandated integration with a centralized platform

Industry bodies warn that such provisions could create a surveillance ecosystem similar to those used in more tightly controlled digital environments.

📌 Government Cites National Security, Emergency Response

Officials involved in the drafting process argue that the updated framework is needed to address rising cybercrime, kidnapping cases, terror threats and disaster situations. They say faster, more accurate location data can drastically improve response times.

The government also contends that the current arrangement—with location retrieval often delayed by procedural red tape—can hinder urgent investigations.

📌 Industry Asks for Safeguards and Clear Limits

Representatives from Apple, Google and Samsung have reportedly asked the government to:

• Define strict legal thresholds for requesting location data

• Mandate judicial or independent oversight

• Limit continuous tracking

• Ensure no device-level backdoors

• Allow companies to issue transparency disclosures

They argue that without such safeguards, the policy could conflict with global privacy norms and harm user trust.

📌 Civil Liberties Groups Enter the Debate

Digital rights organizations in India cautioned that the proposal risks enabling mass surveillance if not carefully structured. They say India still lacks a dedicated legal framework governing state surveillance, making expanded tracking powers particularly concerning.

Several groups have called for public consultation before the policy moves forward.

📌 Decision Still in Early Stages

Government officials say the draft is still under inter-ministerial review and will undergo revisions before any notification is issued. The Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) and the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) are expected to hold further discussions with major smartphone makers and industry bodies.