Focus on the spy GPS tracker

Technology is growing more and more. It is now possible to locate a person or vehicle using the GPS spy tracker. It is useful for both professional and personal use. 

What is a GPS spy tracker?

Also called tracker in English, it is a device that allows to geolocate someone, or a property. The device provides precise positioning data.

The tracker consists mainly of a GPS receiver and a GSM mobile phone module. The receiver actually allows the location. That is the element that lets you know where it is. The telephony module is the device that allows the device to transfer the positioning information. This data is sent by SMS using a SIM card, similar to that used in telephony (chip). 

When to use a GPS spy tracker?

Although it is called a spy, this accessory can be used in many situations. 

Used in a car, this accessory can be used as an anti-theft device. In case the car is stolen, the device will not be able to prevent the thief, but on the other hand, it will allow you to follow him. Thanks to the tracer, you will be able to easily geolocate the perpetrator, so that we can get your property back very quickly. On the other hand, the material is a way to reassure yourself. Even though you're out of the vehicle, you'll still be able to keep an eye on it with GPS, as you'll be able to keep up to date when the car is moving.

The tracker can also be used in people with Alzheimer's-type neurological disorders. These patients sometimes tend to get lost when they leave the house. To avoid this, you can put the device in their pocket or in their bag. In case the subject gets lost, it will be easy to find it thanks to geolocation.

To reassure themselves, some parents prefer to place a spy tracker in their children's coat. Indeed, during a walk in the park, children are used to running, and disappearing from the parent's field of vision, so they may end up getting lost. And if you don't have time to pick up your little one from school, you can simply slip the device into his bag and check his path from school to home. 

Finally this device is mainly used in espionage. It serves as a Snitch tracing the movements of a person or a car. However, this kind of use is regulated by law (you can find a little later in this article what the law says about the use of GPS in espionage).

The operating principle

As you will have understood, the GPS works by sending the position information.

Data transmission not SMS

The information arrives on the user's phone in the form of an SMS containing a link. Just click on it to open an app or google Maps site where you can view the positioning. It is therefore impossible to do this tracing if the phone does not have Internet access. Provided the SIM card used can work abroad, this type of tracer can be operational anywhere in the world.

This SMS is received following the user's request by sending a specific message to the device. Some models of gps spy trackers have an automatic feature in which the GPS sends the information as soon as a move. This is the motion detection option.

Cellular data transmission

Models of tracers operating with this technology need to be equipped with a SIM card (with or without a subscription) through which the device can connect to the Internet. Once the device is connected, it will transmit the information to a server, identified by an IP address. Some people say that the information is transmitted in the cloud, but it is not quite that. Transmission occurs frequently, and each time, a new position is recorded on the website as soon as the tracker makes a move. 

To access this information, the user will need to log on to the site in question or to the GPS tracker's mobile app. A username and password are requested before you can view the positions and travel his or hers in real time.

Using the GPS spy tracker: what the law says

The purchase and sale of spy GPS is perfectly legal. However, the use is subject to regulations that must be well controlled in order not to act illegally.

At the time geolocation is done without a person's knowledge, the act becomes illegal. In simple terms, you are not allowed to use a tracer to spy on an individual or vehicle. What needs to be done to make it legal is to notify the person of the use of GPS. By violating this rule, you are going against the right to privacy. This offence exposes you to a risk of imprisonment of up to 5 years, which can be accompanied by fines.

It is possible to make secret use of the tracer, but first you must obtain permission from a judge. 

How much does a GPS spy tracker cost?

The price of this device varies widely according to several criteria. A high-end GPS will most likely cost you a little more than a regular model. Apart from quality, the cost also varies depending on how the data is transmitted.

For the use of cellular data transmission, you will need a Sim card with a small subscription or a prepaid SIM card. The price of the subscription usually ranges from 2 to 20 euros.