Mobile carriers can get your GPS location (an.dywa.ng)

Article summary

Mobile carriers have the capability to obtain a device's precise GPS location through cellular standards such as RRLP and LPP, which can provide location data with an accuracy of single-digit meters. This feature is not new and has been used by emergency services and law enforcement agencies. Apple has introduced a new privacy feature in iOS 26.3 that limits the availability of precise location data to cellular networks. The article argues that this capability has largely gone unnoticed by the public and raises concerns about mass surveillance.

Main themes

• Mobile carrier surveillance
• GPS location tracking
• Emergency services
• Privacy concerns
• Cellular standards

What commenters say

• The ability of mobile carriers to obtain precise GPS location data is not a new capability and has been used by emergency services for a while.
• The use of GPS location data by mobile carriers raises significant privacy concerns and should be limited or controlled.
• Some argue that the collection of GPS location data is justified in emergency situations, such as when a user calls 911, but others disagree and argue that it is a mass surveillance tactic.
• The precision of GPS location data is much higher than cell tower triangulation and is not necessary for emergency services, which can use other methods to locate users.
• Phone manufacturers, not just operating system providers, are responsible for ensuring that devices do not unnecessarily share location data with carriers.
• The fact that GPS location data is calculated passively does not mean that it should be shared with carriers, and users should have control over their location data.
• Some commenters argue that the collection of GPS location data is not a secret and has been publicly known, but others counter that it is still a shady practice that has flown under the radar of public consciousness.
• There is a need for a balance between the benefits of location data collection, such as in emergency situations, and the risks of mass surveillance and privacy invasion.