IIT Delhi Study Reveals Hidden Risks of Fine-Grained GPS Data
A groundbreaking study by researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi has uncovered a lesser-known and potentially concerning side of GPS technology. According to the study, “fine-grained” GPS data collected by Android smartphones can reveal far more than a user’s location — including their activities, surroundings, and even the layout of the room they are in.

Published in the prestigious journal ACM Transactions on Sensor Networks, the study titled “AndroCon: An Android Phone-based Sensor for Ambient, Human Activity and Layout Sensing using Fine-Grained GPS Information” introduces AndroCon, the first system to demonstrate how GPS data accessible to apps with precise location permissions can act as a covert sensor.

The researchers revealed that while most users assume GPS data is limited to navigation or tracking, fine-grained signals contain hidden clues that can be used to infer additional sensitive information — such as how fast someone is moving, the kind of space they are in, or even small environmental changes.

“Fine-grained GPS data is far richer than traditional coordinates. Our findings show that apps with access to such data can indirectly sense personal context and environmental features without explicit permission,” the study notes.

Experts believe this discovery raises critical privacy concerns, as it suggests that certain Android apps could exploit existing permissions to gather information beyond what users knowingly share.

The IIT Delhi team has also proposed countermeasures to mitigate the risks, including data anonymization techniques and stricter access controls for sensitive sensor data.

The study highlights the urgent need for stronger privacy safeguards in smartphone ecosystems and greater public awareness about the depth of information modern sensors can reveal.