India’s government is reviewing a proposal from telecom companies that would require all smartphones to keep satellite‑based location tracking turned on at all times, according to Reuters. The goal is to help authorities get more accurate location data during investigations, since current tracking through cell towers can be off by several meters. However, the idea has raised major privacy concerns from phone companies Apple (AAPL), Google (GOOGL), and Samsung (SSNLF).
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The industry group pushing for the idea, the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), wants the government to mandate always‑active A‑GPS tracking, which would remove the option for users to turn off location services. Unsurprisingly, Apple and Google’s lobbying group responded by saying there is no precedent anywhere in the world for such mandatory tracking and warned that it would amount to regulatory overreach. Technology experts also stated that the proposal could effectively turn smartphones into “dedicated surveillance devices.”
In addition, Apple and Google argue that forced tracking could put sensitive groups, such as military personnel, judges, journalists, and corporate leaders, at risk if their movements were exposed. Telecom companies, meanwhile, have asked the government to stop phones from showing warning pop‑ups when carriers try to access location data because it alerts users that they may be under surveillance. However, Apple and Google insist that those pop‑ups must stay in order to protect transparency and give users control over their privacy.
Which Telecommunications Stock Is the Better Buy?
Turning to Wall Street, out of the three stocks mentioned above, analysts think that Apple stock has the most room to run. In fact, Apple’s average price target of $291.64 per share implies more than 4% upside potential.
