After Sanchar Saathi Row, Is India Weighing Tougher Phone-Tracking? IFF Flags Concern

New Delhi: The Sanchar Saathi row has once again pushed the debate on state surveillance into the spotlight. After facing intense backlash over its directive mandating pre-installation of the Sanchar Saathi app

on all new smartphones, the government withdrew the order on December 4. However, the Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF), which had earlier demanded a rollback, has raised fresh concerns - this time citing a Reuters report suggesting that an even more intrusive proposal may be under review: mandatory GPS-based location tracking on all smartphones.According to the Reuters report, India is reviewing a proposal that seeks greater phone-location surveillance. Citing documents, internal emails and five sources, the report says a major telecom industry lobby group has urged the government to require smartphone manufacturers to activate satellite-based location technology (A-GPS) by default. This would make precise, real-time GPS tracking available to authorities on demand. Tech giants such as Apple, Google and Samsung have reportedly opposed the proposal on privacy grounds.

There seems to be an unrelenting push for surveillance from the Union Government. Despite the withdrawal of the mandatory pre-installation of Sanchar Saathi, a recent @Reuters report notes that COAI, a lobby group of telecom companies, is urging the government to require constant…

— Internet Freedom Foundation (IFF) (@internetfreedom) December 6, 2025

Sanchar Saathi Backlash and Withdrawal

This development comes shortly after the government rolled back its directive requiring phone makers to preload the state-run Sanchar Saathi app on all new devices. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) had issued the order on November 21, a move that caught the industry off guard. Following widespread criticism, the directive was withdrawn on December 4.“The government, with an intent to provide access to cyber security to all citizens, had mandated pre-installation of Sanchar Saathi app on all smartphones... Given Sanchar Saathi’s increasing acceptance, government has decided not to make the pre-installation mandatory for mobile manufacturers,” the DoT said in a statement.Also Read - Sanchar Saathi Controversy Explained: Why a Phone Security App Sparked India's Biggest Privacy Row The ministry added that the app had gained significant popularity, claiming more than 1.4 crore downloads. “Just in last one day, 6 lakh citizens have registered for downloading the app which is a 10x increase in its uptake,” it said.Notably, hours before the reversal was announced, Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia defended the app in Parliament. Responding to a question from Congress MP Deepender Singh Hooda, he asserted: “Sanchar Saathi app se na snooping sambhav hai, no snooping hoga.”

Why the Push for Greater Surveillance?

The Reuters report notes that the Modi administration has long been concerned that investigative agencies cannot obtain sufficiently accurate location data from telecom operators. Currently, authorities only receive tower-based location estimates, which can be off by several meters.However, sources told the outlet that Apple, Samsung, and Google have all conveyed to the government that such a mandate should not be implemented due to privacy implications. India’s IT and Home ministries are reportedly analysing the proposal but did not respond to the news agency’s queries.

A Larger Conversation on Digital Surveillance

The twin developments - the Sanchar Saathi pre-installation directive and the industry-backed pitch for permanent GPS activation - have reignited concerns about the expanding scope of digital surveillance in India. While the government maintains that such steps enhance cyber safety and aid lawful investigations, civil liberties groups argue that they could compromise citizens’ privacy and pave the way for unchecked monitoring.As ministries deliberate on the telecom industry’s proposal, the larger national debate on privacy, security, and state power is only expected to intensify in the coming weeks.