India's Surveillance Plans Raise Cybersecurity Concerns

India's potential implementation of stringent smartphone surveillance measures has raised significant privacy and cybersecurity concerns. According to Engadget, the country is considering a telecom industry proposal that would require smartphone makers to enable always-on satellite-based location tracking, known as Assisted GPS, without an option for users to disable it.

This proposal has faced opposition from major companies like Apple, Google, and Samsung, who argue it represents regulatory overreach and could jeopardize the safety of numerous individuals, including military personnel and journalists.

The Electronic Frontier Foundation warned that such measures would allow law enforcement to access precise locations without due process, raising alarms about the implications for civil liberties in a country with over 1.4 billion people.

The proposed changes have prompted a backlash from the industry, highlighting a growing tension between national security interests and the protection of individual rights in India.