Fact Check: No Advisory Issued by Government to Turn Off Location Services on Phones

With increasing concerns around digital privacy and cybersecurity, it’s common for people to take precautions like disabling location services on their devices. However, a recent viral image falsely claimed that the Government of India has officially advised all citizens to immediately turn off location services on their phones.

This misinformation was widely circulated on WhatsApp and social media, leading to confusion and fear. Thankfully, PIB Fact Check – the official fact-checking unit of the Government of India – has stepped in to debunk this claim.

A viral image circulating on social platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter) stated:

“Government advisory: Turn off location services on your phone immediately for your safety.”

The image implied that this was an official security advisory issued by the Government of India in response to some imminent risk.

A viral image is claiming that an advisory has been issued, advising people to turn off location services on their phones immediately.#PIBFactCheck

– This claim is FAKE

– No such advisory has been issued by the GoI pic.twitter.com/8GmYpKXTkJ

— PIB Fact Check (@PIBFactCheck) May 9, 2025

On April 3, 2024, the Press Information Bureau’s official fact-checking handle @PIBFactCheck posted:

“A viral image is claiming that an advisory has been issued, advising people to turn off location services on their phones immediately.

#PIBFactCheck

• This claim is FAKE
• No such advisory has been issued by the Government of India”

This official clarification confirms that:

• No such advisory exists.
• The circulating message is not based on any official statement or directive.
• It is misinformation likely meant to cause unnecessary alarm.

Even though disabling location services can be a privacy choice, spreading false government advisories undermines public trust and may lead to confusion during actual emergencies. Here’s why such fake claims are dangerous:

• They can create panic among the public.
• They divert attention from genuine advisories and alerts.
• They can be exploited by cybercriminals to spread malware through fake app links or malicious campaigns.

• Check official handles like @PIBFactCheck or websites like https://pib.gov.in before trusting viral messages.
• Report suspicious claims to PIB Fact Check via:
  • Email: factcheck@pib.gov.in
  • WhatsApp: +91-8799711259

• Location services can be managed based on your personal needs, such as maps, food delivery, or ridesharing apps.
• Turning them off permanently might hinder important services like emergency response or device recovery.

Read this: Understanding @PIBFactCheck: India’s Digital Shield Against Fake News During Crisis Situations

The claim that the Government of India has issued a blanket advisory urging citizens to turn off phone location services is false. The PIB Fact Check team has categorically denied issuing any such directive.

Citizens are advised to remain vigilant against such viral misinformation and rely only on verified government channels for critical advisories and updates.