You would need to be a suspect in a crime that has a punishment of 5 or more years in prison in order for the phone to be geolocated.
For video/audio you need to fall under the definition of organised crime or terrorism.
BUT... If you are an environmental activist, someone might consider you a type of terrorist. So, this is pretty big news. Plus, there are loads of crimes that have 5 year sentences.
The quote in the French article uses the term les grands délinquants. And in French it is just a synonym of criminal or someone who repeatedly breaks the law. So, not a false description.
In France there are plenty of offences that can net you a maximum 5 year term, so this law will not go unused.
And for those not in the know, France is civil law, not common law: the whole jury thing with lawyers making statements isn't a thing here. Meaning that a judge's interpretation of the law determines punishment.